Carmakers reported their highest-ever monthly sales in the domestic market last month, growing 32% at 145,905 units over 110,300 units in January 2009, according to data by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) released on Tuesday.
The previous highest sales, 129,358 units, were recorded in March 2009. The growth in January follows a 40% rise in December and a 61% increase in November, which was the fastest pace since February 2004.
It was the tenth straight month of growth by the segment.
During the month major manufacturers, including Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai Motor, General Motors and Mahindra & Mahindra reported their individual record breaking sales.
Stupendous growth was visible in the commercial vehicle sector also, where sales between April and December this fiscal have already surpassed sales in the entire 2008-09 fiscal year.
In January, CV sales stood at 53,447 units, more than twice the 23,154 units sold in the same month in 2009.
The jump in two-wheeler sales is no less significant, with total domestic sales of 834,383 units in January against just 581,729 units in the same month last year.
But this spectacular all-round growth must be seen in the context of a lower base in the same month last year. Also, some
purchases were preponed because of impending price revision. The new emission norms are slated to become mandatory in top 13 cities from April — this coupled with a possible additional levy on diesel vehicles is compelling people to buy vehicles now instead of waiting post Budget.
Even amid this all-round cheer, some models across cars and two-wheelers remain subdued.
According to SIAM data, there was no production of one variant of the Ford Fusion in January. Ditto for the Skoda Fabia.
Perhaps because of existing inventories since the Fabia sold 794 units in the domestic market.
The only other cars for which production was down were Fiat Linea (1,117 units against 1,512 in the same month last year), BMW 5& 6 series (48 units against 112 in January 2009), Hyundai Sonata (12 against 72 in January 2009) and the Mercedes S Class (19 against 66 units).
On the export front, growth remained consistent at over 45% last month. India exported 150,780 units (103,496 units), with two-wheelers contributing the lion’s share at 89,159 units.
The figures come as auto firms have been ramping up production in India as they eye the explosive expansion of the country’s car market, Asia’s third biggest.
The SIAM added that by 2016 annual sales are expected to double from the current level of about 1.8 million.
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