Passenger vehicle exports dip 58% in H1 FY21

Passenger vehicle exports from India declined 57.52 per cent in April-September period of the current fiscal year as COVID-19 related disruptions hampered despatches to various global markets.

Latest data by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), passenger vehicle exports in the H1 of 202021 stood at 1,55,156 units against 3,65,247 units in the year-ago period.

Passenger car exports during the period under review stood at 1,00,529 units, down 64.93 pc from 2,86,618 units in April-September, 2019-20. Similarly, utility vehicle shipments saw a drop of 29.67 pc at 54,375 units from 77,309 units in the same period of 2019-20.

Van shipments also witnessed a drop of 80.91 pc at 252 units from 1,320 units in April-Sept last year. “This can be largely attributed to the COVID-19 related disruptions globally, which has led to closure of trade,” said Rajesh Menon, DG, SIAM. But, with relaxation in lockdown norms globally, exports have improved in the recent past and the monthly shipments in second half of the current fiscal are expected to be higher than earlier months.

During the Q2 (July-September), PV exports declined by 41.96 pc to 1,11,555 units against 1,92,193 units in the same period of 2019-20. All the major PV exporters saw significant drop in their overseas shipments during the first six months of the current fiscal. Hyundai Motor India exported 32,041 units, down 68.98 pc from the same period last fiscal. Maruti Suzuki exported 31,549 units, down 40.02 pc from the year-ago period.

Ford India shipped 26,089 units to overseas markets for the period under review, down 63.69 pc from April-Sept last fiscal. Kia Motors India shipped 16,606 units during the period, a 3,425.69 pc rise over April-Sept period of 201920. GM India and Volkswagen India exported 16,630 and 15,492 units respectively for the period under review.