Inventory stocking helps car numbers

After six months of slowdown, the struggling Indian automobile manufacturers are seeing signs of a turnaround from the lockdown woes, with sales picture improving amidst positive signs of recovery.

Automobile wholesales from factory gates to showrooms rose in August as supply constraints caused by the pandemic eased and companies pushed stocks to dealers, anticipating an improvement in demand ahead of the festive season.

However, the long- term demand trends still remain in question.

India’s biggest car maker Maruti Suzuki, with 50 per cent market share, on Tuesday registered 17 per cent growth in overall sales led by a 20 per cent jump at 113,033 units in domestic sales in August.

Hyundai Motor, India’s second largest car maker, reported a 20 per cent uptick in August with sales of 45,809 units.

Hyundai’s performance along with Maruti Suzuki India hints towards a visible recovery trend in the market, which is coming on the back of pent- up demand, as well as the enhanced need for personal mobility post Covid- 19 crisis.

Tata Motors, India’s biggest automaker by revenues, sold 18,583 units last month, a rise of 154 per cent, up from 7,316 units it sold last year, reliable sources said. The firm reports only quarterly sales.

Sales at Mahindra and Mahindra grew 1 per cent year- on- year at 13,651 units.

Kia Motors posted 74 per cent year- on- year growth with 10,845 unit sales last month.

Sales at MG Motor India jumped 41 per cent yearonyear at 2,851 units. However, sales at Honda Cars India fell 9 per cent year- on- year at 7,509 units.