Before we present a consolidated Indian car sales report for May 2013, let us give you a picture of the Indian economy. May 2013 was a bad month for our economy, and the strongest evidence of this fact was reflected in the performance of automotive sector in India. According to figures released by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) automakers sold 1,43,216 cars in May 2013 as compared to 1,63,222 units in May 2012, which is a fall of 12.3%. May was the 7th straight month of fall in overall car sales figures in India
HSBC’s Purchasing Manager’s Index – a method by which business activity is measured – showed that factory output in India had almost come to a standstill in May and it was the first time in over four years that this had happened. A slow economy affects car manufacturers the most, as people lose interest in spending. It is expected that the negative growth that the industry is experiencing will remain for some more months.
Tata has been the biggest loser because of this slowdown, after posting a growth of 4% (including exports) in sales in May 2012 compared to the same month in 2011, the company has seen a decline of 23.37% in May 2013. Other signs of this negative growth can be seen below in the analysis, high sales segments have witnessed a dip in numbers while popular and successful models, like the Alto 800, are losing market share to newer offerings by competitors.
Audi
Mixed results for Audi India in May 2013. Monthly sales saw a fall of about 8%, on the other hand the company its year-on-year sales increase by 57%. It still is the number one carmaker, in terms of sales, in the luxury car segment – a title it took over from Mercedes-Benz in April 2013.
Audi sold 710 units in May 2013 as compared to 770 units in April 2013, a sign that the general downfall in the Indian automotive scene affected the company too. Year-on-year sales figures were better though, Audi managed to sell only 451 units in May 2012 as compared to the 710 units it sold in May 2013 – a growth of 57%. Comparing the sales this financial year (Arpil 2013-May 2013) to the same period last year, Audi has sold 1480 units this year as compared to 1013 units in the same period last year – a growth of 46%.
The Audi model range in India includes the Audi A4, Audi A6, a special edition Audi A6, Audi A7 Sportback, Audi A8L, Audi Q3, Audi Q5, Audi Q7, Audi S4, Audi RS5 Coupé, Audi TT Coupé, the new Audi R8, Audi R8 Spyder and the Audi R8 V10 plus.
BMW
BMW has not released any sales data for the month.
Fiat
May 2013 was a good month for FIAT Group Automobiles India Private Limited (FGAIPL). Monthly sales grew by about 59%, while the year-on-year sales decreased by 38%.
Fiat sold 620 units in total in May 2013 as compared to 391 units in April 2013, which is good news for the car-maker. It means customers have increased confidence in the brand, which is trying very hard to improve its image in the country. Year-on-year sales figures show that the company still has a long way to go, Fiat had sold 1002 units in May 2012 as compared to 620 Units in may 2013, a decrease of about 38%. Comparing the sales this financial year (Arpil 2013-May 2013) to the same period last year, Fiat has sold 1011 units this year as compared to 2002 units in the same period last year – a fall in sales of about 49%.
The news looks positive for Fiat, and we’re hoping that this growth trend continues. Fiat has already re-launched the Fiat T-Jet in the market, there will some new cars coming later this year and the brand will have more exclusive dealerships open in India by 2013. The Fiat group will also be launching the Jeep brand in India this year.
Force Motors
Force Motors Limited has not released any sales data for the month.
Ford
May 2013 saw Ford India seeing stagnant monthly growth domestically and a significant fall in year-on-year sales, which it blamed on the slow Indian automotive market. Monthly sales decreased by a very small margin of .02% while year-on-year sales saw a drastic fall of 34%.
Ford sold 4002 units in total in May 2013 as compared to 4003 units on April 2013, a stagnation as the result of a bearish automotive market. Year-on-year results show how bad the situation is for Ford, in May 2012 the company sold 6036 units as compared to the 4002 units it sold in May 2013 – a fall of 34%. Comparing the sales this financial year (Arpil 2013-May 2013) to the same period last year, Ford has sold 8005 units this year as compared to 13237 units in the same period last year – a fall in sales of about 39%.
Export figures helped Ford discount the slump in the domestic market, it exported 1991 units from its Chennai factory.
General Motors
General Motors India would be happy with their results for May 2013, it posted a 3% growth on monthly sales, and a 40% growth year-on-year through its subsidiary Chevrolet Sales India Private Limited.
GM sold 8496 units in total in May 2013 as compared to 8196 units on April 2013, which translates to a growth of 3%. Year-on-year results paint an even better picture, in May 2012 the company sold 6057 units as compared to the 8496 units it sold in May 2013 – an incredible growth of 40%. Comparing the sales this financial year (Arpil 2013-May 2013) to the same period last year, GM has sold 16692 units this year as compared to 13978 units in the same period last year – a rise of 19%.
GM can thank the Chevrolet Sail twins and the Enjoy MUV for the rise in sales in May, at a time when many other manufacturers are facing a slump. GM could be looking at launching a shortened version of the Enjoy later this year to bring in more customers.
Hindustan Motors – Mitsubishi
HM has not released the sales figures of its only passenger vehicle in the market, the Ambassador, we will update this section as soon we get any news.
Honda
Honda Cars India Limited, recorded its highest ever domestic monthly sales in May 2013. The year-on-year figures for the month increased by 9.8% while monthly sales increased by 33%.
Honda sold a total of 11342 units in May 2013 as compared to the 8488 units it sold in April 2013 – registering a growth of more than 33%. Honda is thanking the huge demand for the Amaze sedan for this jump in sales, at a time when many car makers are facing a slump. Year-on-year results are encouraging too, Honda sold 10334 units in May 2012 as compared to 11342 units in May 2013 – a growth of more than 9%. Comparing the sales this financial year (Arpil 2013-May 2013) to the same period last year, Honda has sold 19830 units this year as compared to 17409 units in the same period last year – a rise of more than 13%.
Honda is linking the high sales numbers to the huge response to the updated Brio hatch of which 2012 units have been sold and most importantly, the Amaze sedan which has seen over 6000 units being sold! The City is selling in decent numbers of more than 3000 units, the CR-V comes second to last at 68 units and the Honda managed to sell only 24 units of the Accord.
Honda is delighted by the May 2013 results, Mr. JnaneswarSen, Sr. Vice President – Marketing & Sales, Honda Cars India Ltd. said, “We have started the financial year on a good note and would look to build on this positive trend in our new phase of growth in the country. Our success can be attributed to our attractive product portfolio and Honda brand promise of technology, performance and efficiency.”
Hyundai
Hyundai Motor India Limited saw a marginal fall in Domestic sales in May 2013, and registered positive growth only due to the higher number of exports. Year-on-year figures increased marginally by about 1% and monthly sales as compared to April 2013 fell by 0.93%. This stagnation in growth is an indication that Hyundai is struggling against a slow Indian automotive market.
Hyundai sold a total of 32102 units in May 2013 as compared to the 32403 units it sold in April 2013 – registering a slight slump of 0.93%. Year-on-year results are not that exciting either, the company sold 31710 units in May 2012 as compared to 32102 units in May 2013 – a growth of slightly more than 1%. Comparing the sales this financial year (Arpil 2013-May 2013) to the same period last year, Hyundai has sold 64505 units this year as compared to 66780 units in the same period last year – a fall of about 3%.
The company may have suffered a slight loss in domestic sales but there was no reason to fret as the export numbers helped the company get positive growth. It managed to export 24754 units in May 2013 as compared to 23659 units in the same period last year, a growth of more than 4%.
Commenting on the sales, Mr. Rakesh Srivastava, Sr. Vice President, Sales and Marketing, HMIL said, “Hyundai has been able to maintain positive growth and will gain in market share in a market that is at the near bottom level and is expected to move into positive growth in the coming months as the demand for the petrol cars is improving.”
Mahindra
Mahindra & Mahindra Limited experienced positive growth during May 2013, monthly sales increased by slightly more than 7% while year-on-year figures for the month increased by 7% too.
Mahindra sold a total of 22244 units in May 2013 as compared to the 20749 units it sold in April 2013 – registering a growth of more than about 7%. Year-on-year results continue to show a positive trend too, the company managed to sell 20637 units in May 2012 as compared to 22244 units in May 2013 – a growth of slightly more than 7%. Comparing the sales this financial year (Arpil 2013-May 2013) to the same period last year, Mahindra has sold 42993 units this year as compared to 40643 units in the same period last year – a rise of more than 5%.
The surprising bit about the growth that Mahindra has achieved is that the charge is led by its older products, the Bolero (9780 units) and the Scorpio (5156 units) rather the XUV500 (2144 units) or the Xylo (1719 units). The Ssangyong Rexton is seeing it’s sales numbers fall for the past three months.
Maruti Suzuki
Maruti Suzuki India Limited is still the market leader in terms of sales, but it has been hit very hard by the stagnant Indian automotive market. Monthly sales in May 2013 saw a steep drop of 14% as compared to April 2013, while year-on-year sales saw another steep fall of 13%.
Maruti Suzuki sold a total of 77821 units in May 2013 as compared to the 90523 units it sold in April 2013 – registering a decline of more than about 14%. Year-on-year results were as bad, the company managed to sell 89478 units in May 2012 as compared to 77821 units in May 2013 – a fall of about 13%. Comparing the sales this financial year (Arpil 2013-May 2013) to the same period last year, Maruti Suzuki has sold 168344 units this year as compared to 179733 units in the same period last year – a decline of more than 6%.
The Maruti Suzuki Dzire topped the sales chart in May 2013 de-throning the Alto 800, this is surprising because the segment the car operates in is getting pretty crowded. The Honda Amaze was billed to put a dent in the Dzire’s sales figures, but that has not seemed to have happened.
Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz India has not released any sales data for the month.
Nissan
Nissan Motor India Private Limited had mixed results in May 2013, monthly sales increased by more than 67% while year-on-year figures for the month decreased by more than 33%.
Nissan sold a total of 2080 units in May 2013 as compared to the 1239 units it sold in April 2013 – registering a growth of more than about 67%. Year-on-year results showed how bad the company is faring in the market, it managed to sell 3138 units in May 2012 as compared to 2080 units in May 2013 – a slump of slightly more than 33%. Comparing the sales this financial year (Arpil 2013-May 2013) to the same period last year, Nissan has sold 3319 units this year as compared to 6605 units in the same period last year – a decline of more than 49%.
As you can see from the results above, Nissan is in dire straights. It is trailing it’s partner in India, Renault, by more than 2000 units in terms of sales in May 2013 and the Indian market is in a slump too. It sure hopes that the facelifted Micra will help boost sales next month and so will the much hyped about Terrano SUV.
Premier
Premier Limited has not released any sales data for the month.
Renault
Renault India Private Limited had a pretty good month in May 2013. Monthly sales were stagnant, declining ever so slightly by 0.22% while the year-on-year sales figures showed an increase by 1207%, yes you read that correctly.
Renault sold a total of 6300 units in May 2013 as compared to the 6314 units it sold in April 2013 – registering a slight slump of 0.22%, a sign that the stagnation in the Indian automotive market had affected the company. Year-on-year results are far more encouraging, it managed to sell 482 units in May 2012 as compared to 6300 units in May 2013 – a huge increase of over 1207%, this huge record can be attributed to the Renault Duster, which was launched in June 2012 and since then has continued to rack up huge numbers in sales. For example, in May 2013 5146 units of the Duster were sold, which is 81% of the total sales for the month. Comparing the sales this financial year (Arpil 2013-May 2013) to the same period last year, Renault has sold 12614 units this year as compared to 1097 units in the same period last year – a growth of more than 1049%.
Of the 6300 units that Renault sold in India in May 2013, the Duster accounted for 5146 units, the Scala 670 units, Pulse 410 units, the Fluence 71 units and the Koleos 3 units.
“In spite of challenging market conditions, Renault continues to pursue a strong focus on growth in India, with an aim of at least doubling last year’s sales in 2013,” said Sumit Sawhney, Executive Director, Marketing & Sales, Renault India Pvt. Ltd. “The growing acceptability of Renault brand among customers is being driven by our strong product portfolio and extensive dealer network, while the Renault Duster continues to retains the top spot as the most popular SUV in India. With such strong pillars of growth, we remain confident of our continued success in the Indian automotive market in the near term.”
Škoda
Škoda Auto India Private Limited is experiencing a steady decline in sales this year, relatively old cars in its portfolio and the slow market have dealt a blow to the company in May 2013. Monthly sales were stagnant, declining slightly by 0.93% while the year-on-year sales figures also showed a decline of 32%.
Skoda sold a total of 1916 units in May 2013 as compared to the 1934 units it sold in April 2013 – registering a slight slump of 0.93%, which can be blamed on the company not having introduced any new models in its lineup for a long time and also the slump in the Indian automotive scene. Year-on-year results are not helping Skoda’s case at all, it managed to sell 2831 units in May 2012 as compared to 1916 units in May 2013 – a decline of over 32%. Comparing the sales this financial year (Arpil 2013-May 2013) to the same period last year, Skoda has sold 3850 units this year as compared to 5937 units in the same period last year – a decline of slightly more than 35%.
Tata Motors
Tata Motors Limited is finding it very hard to increase the sale of its passenger cars in India. It has steadily been losing ground to other manufacturers since last year. In May 2012 Mahindra overtook Tata, we were surprised that a company with only SUVs in their portfolio could do this to a fully fledged car maker. Mahindra has sealed it place ahead of Tata and, in a repeat of sorts, in May 2013 Honda too has overtaken the company. Toyota is very close to overtaking Tata now.
What is leading to this slump? Well, ask yourself, when was the last time that Tata introduced an all new mass market car? Don’t think about the Safari, it is not a mass market car (sales have never crossed 2000 units in a month). Well, the last all-new car that Tata launched was the Manza in 2009, most of its car have received updates since but never have they been completed revamped. Most people do not like to be seen buying a new ‘old’ car, so that’s the answer.
Tata sold a total of 11134 units in May 2013 as compared to the 11570 units it sold in April 2013 – registering a decline of more than 3%. Year-on-year results are even worse, Tata managed to sell 20503 units in May 2012 as compared to 11134 units in May 2013 – a decline of over 45%. Comparing the sales this financial year (Arpil 2013-May 2013) to the same period last year, Tata has sold 22704 units this year as compared to 43161 units in the same period last year – a decline of slightly more than 47%.
Tata did not release any domestic sales data of the Jaguar – Land Rover brand for this month.
Toyota
Toyota Kirloskar Motor Private Limited recovered from a big slump in sales which it experienced in April 2013, but the picture is still bad compared to the same period in 2012.
Toyota sold a total of 10023 units in May 2013 as compared to the 9007 units it sold in April 2013 – registering a growth of more than 11%. Year-on-year results are not that good though, Toyota managed to sell 15501 units in May 2012 as compared to 10023 units in May 2013 – a decline of over 35%. Comparing the sales this financial year (Arpil 2013-May 2013) to the same period last year, Toyota has sold 19030 units this year as compared to 29879 units in the same period last year – a decline of more than 36%.
Commenting on the sales in May 2013, Mr. Sandeep Singh, Deputy Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer, Marketing and Commercial said “The market continues to be sluggish. We have corrected the dealer’s inventory levels and have been able to bring it (the delivery time) down to less than 30 days.”
Volkwagen
Volkswagen India Private Limited had a good result in May 2013, monthly sales increased by 12% while year-on-year sale decreased by 12% too.
Volkswagen sold a total of 5116 units in May 2013 as compared to the 4566 units it sold in April 2013 – registering a growth of more than 12%. Year-on-year results are good too, the company managed to sell 4564 units in May 2012 as compared to 5116 units in May 2013 – a growth of over 12%. Comparing the sales this financial year (Arpil 2013-May 2013) to the same period last year, Volkswagen has sold 9862 units this year as compared to 10170 units in the same period last year – a decline of more than 3%.
Volvo
Volvo Auto India has not released any sales data for the month.
