Indian Auto Majors Record Positive September Sales; Maruti, Eicher Zoom Ahead

Most automobile companies in India recorded positive sales growth for the month of September, data released by companies so far showed. Maruti Suzuki Ltd. and Eicher Motors Ltd. saw total sales jump 30 percent each. Tata Motors recorded an 8 percent growth in sales. Ashok Leyland Ltd. however, saw total sales fall over 18 percent led by decline in sales of medium and heavy commercial vehicles.

Maruti Sales Zoom

Maruti Suzuki Ltd. registered 31.1 percent increase in sales in the month of September, driven by strong demand for its utility and mid-size vehicles.

India’s largest passenger vehicle maker sold 1.49 lakh units in September compared to 1.13 lakh vehicles in September 2015, according to its press release.

Sales of the utility vehicle segment, which includes S-Cross, Vitara Brezza, Ertiga and Gypsy, soared to 18,423 units from 6,331 vehicles last September. Sales of mid-size sedan Ciaz grew 52.5 percent to 6,544 cars.

Maruti clocked its best ever domestic monthly performance, with sales rising 29.4 percent to 1.37 lakh vehicles. Exports jumped 54 percent to 11,822 units.

Tata Motors: Export Boost

Tata Motors Ltd.’s sales increased 8 percent to 48,648 vehicles in the month of September, on higher exports and rising demand for its passenger vehicles, according to the company’s filing on the Bombay Stock Exchange.

Domestic sales increased 5 percent to 46,961 vehicles while exports jumped 29 percent to 5,687.

Passenger vehicle sales grew 24 percent to 14,601 driven by the strong demand for its Tiago hatchback. Commercial vehicle sales grew 2 percent to 28,360 vehicles despite a 19 percent jump in demand for lightweight commercial vehicles.

Mahindra & Mahindra: Muted Sales Growth

Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. registered an 8 percent year-on-year sales growth, selling up to 46, 130 vehicles in September 2016 compared to 42,848 vehicles in the same month last year.

The passenger vehicles segment – which includes utility vehicles, cars and vans – sold up to 20,537 vehicles in September 2016 from 19, 564 vehicles in the same period last year – a growth of 5 percent.

Exports during the month grew by 14 percent to 3,585 units as against 3,155 units in September last year, it added.

Sales of passenger vehicles, including Scorpio, XUV500, Xylo, Bolero and Verito, were also up 5 percent to 20,537 units compared to 19,564 units in the same month last year.

Commercial vehicle sales were up 11 percent to 16,081 units in September as against 14,430 units in the year-ago period.

Commenting on the sales performance, M&M Chief Executive (auto division) Pravin Shah said: "We hope that the upcoming festive season brings in better demand due to improved sentiments." In spite of various uncertainties and challenges, the company has clocked 11 percent growth during the first six months of the current fiscal, he added.

Ashok Leyland: MHCV Sales Slip

Heavy commercial vehicle maker Ashok Leyland posted an 18.4 percent decline in total sales in September.

The company sold 12,057 units in September 2016, as against 14,783 units during the same month last year, the company said in a stock exchange filing.

Sale of light commercial vehicles, however, grew by 17 percent to 3,094 in September, from 2,637 units sold during same month of last year.

The sale of medium and heavy commercial vehicles dipped by 26 percent to 8,963 units last month from 12,146 units during the corresponding period a year ago.

Total sales during the last six months ending September 30, 2016 marginally dipped to 64,611 units from 65,535 units sold during same period of last year.

Eicher Motors: Total Sales Jump 30%

Sales of Eicher Motors Ltd. jumped 30 percent in September 2016 as the company sold 57,842 motorcycles compared to 44,491 units last year, according to a filing on the stock exchanges.

Exports went up by 18 percent to 884 units last month on a year-on-year basis.

For models with engine capacity up to 350 cc, sales increased by 29 percent to 52,134 units, while for those with engine capacity exceeding 350 cc, sales rose 39 percent to 5,708 units.