Factory-gate shipments of cars and utility vehicles were marginally lower than a year earlier, an improvement from steep contractions seen during the lockdown months.
Domestic wholesales of passenger vehicles declined 3.9% year-on-year to 1,82,779 units last month, according to data released by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers. While monthly factory-gate car shipments fell 12.02% over the last year to 1,02,773 units in July, sales of utility vehicles rose 13.88% to 71,384 units.
India’s auto sector, which contributes more than 7% to the nation's gross domestic product, was grappling with a prolonged slowdown when the coronavirus lockdown completely stalled operations. After a washout in April, sales revived marginally in May and June. July was the best month since March even as supply chain disruptions due to localised lockdowns persisted.
“After a few consecutive of months of plummeted sales in a post-covid scenario, there are signs of green shoots in passenger vehicles and two-wheelers where the year-on-year de-growth is much lesser than in the previous months,” SIAM President Rajan Wadhera said in a statement on Tuesday. “The sales in August will indicate if this is a sustainable demand and not just pent-up.”
Auto Sales In July 2020: Segment-Wise Breakup (Year-on-Year)
- Scooter sales declined 36.51% year-on-year to 3,34,288 units.
- Motorcycle sales fell 4.87% to 8,88,520 units.
- Total two-wheeler sales dropped 15.24% to 12,81,354 units.
- Total three-wheeler sales slumped 77.16% to 12,728 units.
SIAM had in June said it would report sales of commercial vehicles on quarterly basis.
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