Highlights

NEW DELHI: Passenger vehicle sales in India declined by over two per cent in the 202021 fiscal as the COVID-19 pandemic has put brakes on the sector which has already been witnessing a structural slowdown over the last few years, industry body SIAM said on Monday.

As per the latest data by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), in the 2020-21 fiscal, passenger vehicle wholesales declined by 2.24 per cent to 27,11,457 units as against 27,73,519 units in 2019-20.

Similarly, total two-wheeler dispatches during the last fiscal by companies to their respective dealer partners declined by 13.19 per cent to 1,51,19,387 units, as compared to 1,74,16,432 units in 2019-20.

Total commercial vehicles sales declined by 20.77 per cent to 5,68,559 units last financial year, as against 7,17,593 units in 2019-20. Dispatches of three-wheelers saw a drop of 66.06 per cent in the 202021 fiscal at 2,16,197 units, as against 6,37,065 units in 201920. Vehicle sales across categories declined by 13.6 per cent to 1,86,15,588 units, as against 2,15,45,551 units in the yearago period. “On the sales front, a deep structural slowdown in the industry even before the pandemic, combined with the impact of COVID-19 in 2020-21, has pushed all vehicle segments back by many years. Recovery from here will require time and efforts, by all stakeholders,” SIAM President Kenichi Ayukawa said.

There is uncertainty in the value chain owing to semiconductors, lockdowns and raw materials, he added.

“In an environment of uncertainty, instead of trying to predict the future, we will all work hard to create it,” Ayukawa noted. SIAM has cited data in the past to show that the pandemic is not the only reason for the auto sector slowdown, which is facing deeper structural issues that need attention.

According to the findings of a research conducted by the industry body, compounded annual growth rates of all segments, including passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, three-wheelers and two-wheelers have witnessed a continuous drop over the last three decades. » Total commercial vehicles sales declined by 20.77% TO 5,68,559 UNITS LAST fiSCAL against 7,17,593 units in 2019-20

» Dispatches of threewheelers saw a drop of 66.06% in the 2020-21 fiSCAL AT 2,16,197 UNITS against 6,37,065 units in 2019-20

» Vehicle sales across categories fell by 13.6 per cent to 1,86,15,588 units against 2,15,45,551 units in 2019-20

Elaborating further SIAM Director General, Rajesh Menon said in the last fiscal there was a de-growth in sales of all segments compared to the previous years. “If we look at the fourth quarter JanuaryMarch 2021 sales which might include some deferred sales from previous quarters, only passenger vehicle segment at 9.34 lakh sales was marginally above the previous high of January-March 2018 period at 8.62 lakh units,” Menon added.

Commercial vehicles sales at 2.1 lakh in January-March period of 2021 were below 2.82 lakh in January-March period of 2018, Menon noted.

“Similarly, two-wheeler sales in January-March 2021 stood at 43.54 lakh against January-March 2018 figures of 51.13 lakh units. Three-wheeler segment was the worst-hit with sales of 86,000 units in the period under review as compared to 1.97 lakh in January-March 2018,” Menon said. In March, domestic passenger vehicle wholesales in India increased to 2,90,939 units in March as compared to the same month last year which saw disruptions due to the COVID-19-led lockdown.

Passenger vehicle sales in March 2020 stood at 1,35,196 units. Similarly, two-wheeler dispatches to dealers rose to 14,96,806 units, compared to 8,66,845 units in March 2020, SIAM said. Motorcycle sales increased to 9,93,996 units as against 5,70,858 in March 2020.

Similarly, scooter sales were also up to 4,57,677 units, from 2,63,070 units a year ago.

Three-wheeler sales increased to 31,930 units, as compared to 27,608 units in March last year. Vehicle sales across categories rose to 18,19,682 units last month, as against 10,29,518 units in the year-ago period.

NEW DELHI: Companies providing satellite connectivity services through gateway set-up in India will have to install network equipment as recommended by the government, according to new norms issued by the Department of Telecom (DoT).

At present, only BSNL has installed a satellite gateway through which it provides satellite-based communication services to authorised agencies like security forces, oil companies etc. As per the new norms, National Cyber Security Coordinator (NCSC ) will be the designated authority that can impose conditions for the procurement of telecom equipment on the grounds of “Defence of India” or matters directly related to national security.

DoT had already announced similar restrictions on telecom operators as well as internet service providers last month.

“In pursuance of condition 5.1, chapter 1 the licensor hereby amends the provision and operation of satellite based services using gateway installed in India under “sui-generis” licence agreement...” DoT said in the amendment to the licence agreement for procurement of telecom equipment.

The amendment was done on March 11 but updated on DoT website on Monday.

As per the new norms, with effect from June 15, such satellite service operators will be required to take permission

There is uncertainty in the value chain owing to semiconductors, lockdowns and raw materials, SIAM President Kenichi Ayukawa said

from NCSC for upgradation of existing networks, utilising the telecom equipment not designated as trusted products.

The amendment is in line with the National Security

Directive on Telecommunication Sector which mandates all telecom service providers to install equipment from only government-approved vendors and sources.