May Auto Sales Live: Hero Slumps By 50%, Bajaj & TVS Falls By 30%

Royal Enfield, the maker of India's cult cruiser motorcycles, saw its sales fell to 27,294 units in May compared to 53,298 units it sold in April. Year-on-Year, the sales are not comparable.

Sales snapshot (M-o-M)

• Sales of models with engine capacity up to 350 cc fell to 22,734 unit from 46,651 units in April.

• Sales of models with capacity over 350cc fell to 4,560 units from 6,737 units.

• Exports however rose by 60% to 7,221 units.

Ashok Leyland Ltd. reported an overall sales of 3,199 units in May, according to the company’s exchange filings.

The automaker's sales fell by 62% over the last month as demand takes a hit amidst second wave of coronavirus. Year-on-Year, the sales are not comparable due to nationwide lockdown last year.

• Domestic sales fell sharply to 2,738 units from 7,961 units last month.

• Domestic medium and heavy commercial vehicle sales tanked 62% to 1,513 units in May.

• Domestic Light commercial vehicle sales too fell to 1,225 units in May from 3,978 units last month.

India's largest two-wheeler manufacturer, Hero MotoCorp Ltd. sold 1,83,044 units in May, the company said in an exchange filing on Tuesday evening.

Hero MotoCorp's sales fell 51% over the last month due to the closure of plant operations amid second wave of Coronavirus. Year-on-Year, the sales are not comparable due to lockdown last year.

The Company said it continues to monitor the situation closely and will move to double-shift production gradually.

"With the vaccination drive gaining pace and a sharp decline in the number of Covid-positive cases, markets across the country are expected to open up gradually. This will aid in the swift recovery of businesses in the coming weeks," the company added.

Sales Snapshot (M-o-M) -

• Motorcycle sales fell by 47% to 1,78,706 units in May

• Scooter sales too declined to 4,338 units in May from 32,956 units in April.

TVS Motor Company reported a 30.16% fall in total sales to 1,66,869 units in May over last month due to lockdowns in many states, the company said in a statement.

The Chennai-based two and three-wheeler maker had sold a total of 2,38,983 units in April. Year-on-Year, the sales are not comparable because of lockdown last year.

"We have reduced dealer stocks to support our dealers and channel partners and will produce to maintain adequate inventories for customer demand. We expect that pent up demand will return as markets begin to reopen," the company said in statement.

Other Highlights (M-o-M)

• The total two-wheeler sales during the month stood at 1,54,416 units as against 2,26,193 units last month.

• The domestic two-wheeler sales stood at 52,084 units in May

• Motorcycles sales fell by 6% to 1,25,188 units in May

• Total exports stood at 1,14,674 units in May up from 1,07,185 units last month.

• Three-wheeler sale stood at 12,473 units in May.

Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. posted total sales of 46,555 units in May, the country’s largest automaker said in a statement. This is a de-growth of 71% over the 1,59,691 units it sold last month.

Year-on-year the domestic sales are not comparable because of lockdown due to covid-19 last year.

• Total passenger vehicle sales fell 76% to 32,903 units in May from 1,35,879 units last month.

• Exports rose to 34% to 11,262 units in May.

• Mini and compact vehicle segment fell 79% to 25,103 units in May over last month.

• Utility vehicle sales fell 75% to 6,355 units in May over last month.

Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.’s passenger vehicles business posted total sales of 8,004 units in May, as lockdown puts breaks on the company's supply momentum, the company said in a statement on Tuesday.

Passenger vehicle fell 56% over last month. Year-On-Year, the sales are not comparable because of lockdown last year.

• Overall, the auto sales of M&M's automotive division sales fell 52% over last month to 17,447 units.

• Commercial vehicle segment, including electric three wheelers, sold 9,443 units over in April.

"With the cases coming down and gradual opening up of markets, we foresee strong demand rebound. We are working closely with our supplier partners to manage supply chain issues and meet the market demand,” Veejay Nakra, Chief Executive Officer, Automotive Division, M&M Ltd said in a statement.

The Farm Equipment segment on the other hand saw its sale fall 12.13% in May to 24,184 units, from the 27,523 units it sold last month, as COVID spread in rural markets led to stringent lockdowns, leading to deferment of tractor purchase and limited operations at dealerships, the company said.

"While state specific lockdowns and localized restrictions continue, it is heartening to see the Covid cases reducing sharply. This is leading to sharp improvement in farmer sentiments and green shoots of recovery are visible," Hemant Sikka, President - Farm Equipment Sector, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. said.

He added that a bumper Rabi harvest, record procurement, food prices holding up, gradual opening up of Mandis and expectations of a normal monsoon to pave the way for growth in the upcoming season

Volvo Eicher Commercial Vehicles, the commercial vehicle arm of Eicher Motors Ltd, reported and overall sales of 1,223 units in May, the company said in an exchange filing.

VECV sales fell 43% over the last month. Year-on-Year, the sales are however not comparable.

• Domestic sales fell to 656 units from 1,555 units last month.

• Exports fell to 519 units from 541 units last month.

Tata Motors Ltd.’s passenger vehicle division sold 15,181 units in May, the company said in a statement.

Passenger vehicle sales fell 40% over last month. Year-on-year the domestic sales are not comparable because of covid led lockdown last year.

• Overall Tata Motors’ domestic sales fell 38% to 24,552 units in May from 39,530 units it sold in April.

• Total domestic commercial vehicle sales fell to 11,401 units in May, compared to 16,644 units in April.

• Commercial vehicle export too fell 8% to 2,030 units.

Two-wheeler maker, Bajaj Auto Ltd sold a total of 2,71,862 units in May, led by surge in exports the company said in an exchange filing on Tuesday. Bajaj Auto's sales fell 30% over last month. Year-on-Year, the sales are not comparable due to lockdown last year.

Sales snapshot (M-o-M)

• Total domestic sales fell 51% over last month to 60,830 units in May.
• Total exports too fell 4,7% to 2,11,032 units in May.
• Total commercial vehicle sales fell 21.4% to 31,308 units in May.

Escorts Ltd.’s agri machinery segment sold 6,423 tractors in May, the company said in a statement to the exchanges on Tuesday.

The automaker's tractor sales declined 7.9% over the last month. Year-on-year, the sales are not comparable due to lockdown last year.

In domestic market it sold 6,158 units, while in exports it sold 265 units.

Slowdown in demand is seen due to impact of COVID-19 in the rural parts impairing movement of customers and smooth operations of our dealerships, the company said in the statement.

"The ground situation has somewhat eased in the last few days of the month, and we expect return to normalcy soon."

In the medium term, escorts see rural sentiment to be strong, on account of all positive macroeconomic factors viz. prediction of a good monsoon, high crop production and better support by Government on crop prices.

"Inflation continues unabated and remains a worry."

The severe second Covid-19 wave brought back pain for India’s automakers as their sales are seen to slump over the preceding month on fresh lockdowns in several states and companies suspending manufacturing.

Factory-gate shipments of passenger cars, two-wheelers and commercial vehicles is expected to tumble in the range of 14-73% month-on-month in May, according to data compiled from the reports of three brokerages — Dolat Capital, Emkay Global, and Motilal Oswal.

Shipment of automobiles over the year earlier is not comparable because of a low base caused by a nationwide lockdown to contain the first wave of the pandemic.

“States with complete lockdowns represent 50-60% of volumes across segments. In addition, there are partial lockdowns in the remaining states,” analysts at Emkay Global said in a report.

The mounting infections had also prompted automakers such as Maruti Suzuki India Ltd., Hero MotoCorp Ltd., Escorts Ltd. and Eicher Motors Ltd. to shut down plants in a staggered manner to mitigate the high inventory levels at dealerships, lowering production.

• Among the segments, two-wheelers are expected to be hit the hardest. According to Dolat Capital, retail sales of two-wheelers are likely to decline 50-60% month-on-month in May.
• Commercial vehicles, too, would face pressure because of lower freight availability, and as truck movements were hit across the country amid the second wave.
• Volumes of tractors, which recovered ahead of other segments from the Covid-19 disruptions during the first wave on account of improved rural sentiment, are likely to fall by more than 30-35% over the preceding month in May.
• Passenger vehicle segment, however, will be the least impacted because of a healthy order book and low inventory level amid supply-chain constraints.

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