Maruti Suzuki begins new fiscal with slump, sales dip 19% in April; Honda sales up 23%

New Delhi: The country’s largest car maker Maruti Suzuki India (MSI) reported 18.7 percent decline in its domestic sales in April, beginning the new fiscal with a slump. The auto major, which has over 50 percent market share in the domestic passenger vehicles segment, sold 1,43,245 units last month. It had sold 1,72,986 units in the year-ago period. Sales of mini cars comprising Alto declined by 39.8 percent during the month at 22,766 units as compared with 37,794 units in April last year. [caption id=“attachment_4269891” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Representational image. Reuters.[/caption] Similarly, sales of compact segment, including models such as Swift, Celerio, Ignis, Baleno and Dzire, were down 13.9 percent at 72,146 units as against 83,834 units in April last year, the company said. Mid-sized sedan Ciaz sold 2,789 units as compared to 5,116 units in the same month a year ago. Utility vehicles, including Vitara Brezza, S-Cross and Ertiga were, however, up 5.9 percent at 22,035 units as compared to 20,804 units in the year-ago month. The company’s exports in April were up by 14.6 percent at 9,177 units as against 8,008 units in the corresponding month last year.

Last week, MSI Chairman RC Bhargava had said that the market would continue to be weak this year on account various factors including uncertainty over fuel prices and coming up of BS VI emission norms from next year.

In 2018-19, the company had targeted a sales growth of 10 percent in the domestic market but could manage only 6.1 percent. On the other hand, Honda Cars India Ltd (HCIL) posted 23 percent increase in domestic sales at 11,272 units in April as against 9,143 units in the same month last year. The company’s April sales growth is primarily due to lower base effect, as there was no ‘Amaze’ in corresponding month last year during the model run out, HCIL Senior Vice President and Director, Sales and Marketing Rajesh Goel said. The ongoing elections and overall subdued market sentiment continue to affect the sales momentum, he added.

“Going forward, the industry is heading towards a tougher year impacting sales due to volatility in fuel prices, increase in car prices owing to new regulations and stricter inventory control for smooth switchover to BS VI regime by year end,” Goel said.

In the two wheeler segment, Suzuki Motorcycle India (SMIPL) reported a 9.25 percent increase in domestic sales at 57,072 units in April as against 52,237 units in the year-ago month. Commenting on the sales performance, SMIPL Vice President, Marketing, Sales, and After Sales Devashish Handa said, “Given the depressed industry sentiment, this is a great start of the new financial year for Suzuki Motorcycle India and we are poised for a strong performance in 2019-20, aiming to achieve 1 million sales target.” The company’s focus in this fiscal year “is also to strengthen our dealer network and product portfolio with the addition of new premium products to our stable catering to a larger customer base,” he said. Niche bike maker, Royal Enfield reported 21 percent decline in sales last month at 59,137 units compared with 74,627 units in April 2018.