New Delhi:
The country’s leading automakers, Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai Motor, reported a drop in shipments to dealerships in March as shortages of electronic components impacted production.
On the other hand, Tata Motors, Skoda and Kia India recorded their highest-ever monthly wholesale sales last month.
Toyota Kirloskar Motor said March shipments were the highest in the past five years, while Mahindra & Mahindra also reported a sharp increase in passenger vehicle shipments in March.
The country’s largest automaker, Maruti Suzuki India (MSI), said domestic shipments fell 7 percent in March to 1,43,899 units, from 1,55,417 units in the same period a year ago.
For the full fiscal year 2021-22, the company posted total sales of 16,52,653 units, up 13 percent from 2020-21.
“The shortage of electronic components had some impact on vehicle production in FY 2021-22. The company has taken all possible measures to minimize the impact. As the supply situation of electronic components remains unpredictable, this could have some impact on production volume also in FY 2022-23,” MSI noted.
Last month, sales of mini cars, including Alto and S-Presso, fell to 15,491 units, from 24,653 in the same month last year.
Similarly, sales in the compact segment, including models such as Swift, Celerio, Ignis, Baleno and Dzire, rose marginally to 82,314 units, from 82,201 cars in March 2021.
Commercial vehicle sales, including Vitara Brezza, S-Cross and Ertiga, fell to 25,001 units from 26,174 vehicles in the month a year ago, MSI said.
Hyundai Motor India’s rival said total sales fell 14 percent in March to 55,287 units, compared to the same month last year.
The company had shipped 64,621 units to its dealers by March 2021.
Tata Motors said passenger car sales in March were the highest ever in a month.
The company reported wholesale sales of 42,293 units last month, a 43 percent increase, compared to 29,654 units in March 2021.
“We posted the highest ever annual, quarterly and monthly sales, supported by strong demand for our New Forever range and flexible supply-side promotions,” said Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles MD Shailesh Chandra in a statement.
Mahindra said passenger vehicle shipments rose 65 percent last month to 27,603 units in the domestic market, up from 16,700 units in March 2021.
“Demand remains strong as we continue to monitor the global supply chain and take appropriate action as necessary,” noted Veejay Nakra, CEO of M&M (Automotive Division).
Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) reported total wholesale sales of 17,131 units in March, the best monthly sales ever in five years.
Last month, the company’s shipments increased 14 percent compared to 15,001 units in March 2021.
“We have witnessed tremendous demand from the market and our wholesalers in March bear witness to the current demand trends. Not only that, it also confirms the kind of popularity that all Toyota models enjoy in their respective segments and the fact that we are able to have been to offer products based on our customers’ expectations,” said TKM Associate Vice President (Sales and Strategic Marketing) Atul Sood.
Automaker Kia reported its best monthly sales ever in March with 22,622 units.
The company said its wholesale business rose 18 percent last month to 22,622 units compared to the same month last year.
“Our growing sales can be attributed to our recently launched Carens, which has won the hearts of Indian customers. We look forward to continuing this outstanding positive journey, supported by our revolutionary products and quality customer service,” Kia India VP and Head of Sales & Marketing said Hardeep Singh Brar.
Similarly, Skoda Auto reported a fivefold increase in sales, with 5,608 units in March, compared to 1,159 units in the same month last year.
This is the highest monthly sales volume ever clocked by the automaker in its two-decade history in India.
The company’s previous monthly record was set in June 2012, when it shipped 4,923 units.
“The joint efforts of the whole team to ensure the successful rollout of the INDIA 2.0 project are bearing fruit. This project is not just about new platforms and products, but about a complete rejuvenation of our business processes – improving the ownership experience, broadening the reach of our network, getting closer to our customers and a variety of value-added services,” said Zac Hollis, Brand Director, Skoda Auto India.
MG Motor India reported a 14.5 percent decline in retail sales of 4,721 units in March, hit by supply chain constraints due to the novel COVID-19 variant and the ongoing global shortage of semiconductor chips.
The company had sold 5,528 units in March last year.
Nissan India also reported a 25 percent drop in domestic wholesale sales of 3,007 units in March.
The company had registered 4,012 units in domestic wholesale by March 2021.