BENGALURU : Indian automakers, including Maruti Suzuki, Tata Motors, and TVS Motor reported higher sales of cars and two-wheelers in April from a year earlier, monthly data from the companies showed on Wednesday.
Each month, automobile makers in India release wholesale numbers, or vehicle sales to dealers.
WHY IT’S IMPORTANT
The sales numbers are seen as a key indicator of private consumption in India. The auto sector contributes around 7 per cent to India’s economy.
CONTEXT
Indian automakers posted record sales volumes in fiscal 2024 and the momentum is expected to continue in the current financial year.
In April, two-wheeler sales surged amid regional festivals or weddings, while pricier sport utility vehicles (SUVs) were preferred by customers looking to buy cars, analysts noted.
Rising consumer income levels and the availability of easy financing options with lower EMIs (equated monthly instalments) have helped bolster SUV sales, said Amit Hiranandani, automobile sector lead analyst at brokerage SMIFS.
Meanwhile, sales of small cars have been subdued, with high inflation making them unaffordable for their target demographic.
KEY QUOTES
“We expect that by 2026-end or 2027 we will be seeing again a growth in the (hatchback) segment and again this market will revive,” said Partho Banerjee, Maruti’s head of marketing and sales said in a call after reporting April sales.
BY THE NUMBERS
Manufacturer Total April Y/Y change
Sales (units) in April (%)
Tata Motors 77,521 11.4
Maruti Suzuki 168,089 4.7
Hyundai Motor India 63,701 9.5
Toyota Kirloskar Motor 20,494 32
TVS Motor 383,615 25.3
Eicher Motors 81,870 11.9
Motorcycles
Eicher Motors Trucks and 5,377 -18.1
Buses
Escorts Kubota 7,515 -0.7
