Car sales recover in June; indicate a positive trend

Maruti Suzuki, India’s biggest car-maker, its rivals Hyundai, Tata Motors, Mahindra, Toyota Kirloskar, and Honda Cars reported recovery in wholesale dispatches to their dealers last month, promising a positive trend on the back of attractive new car launches and easing of chip supply.

Maruti Suzuki dispatched 5.7 per cent more cars in June at 1,55,857 units to dealers as against 1,47,368 units in the same month last year. “The shortage of electronic components had a minor impact on the production of vehicles, mainly in domestic models,” the company said.

Sales at Hyundai jumped 21 per cent to 49, 001 units last month, up from 40, 496 units it sold last year. “With the semiconductor situation showing signs of easing out, the sales numbers have again started showing a positive trend,” Tarun Garg, director, sales, Hyundai Motor India, said.

Similarly, sales at Tata Motors soared 87 per cent at 45,197 units, up from 24,110 units it sold last year. Shailesh Chandra, MD, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles, said demand for passenger vehicles continued to stay strong even as the supply side remained moderately impacted due to the lockdown in China.

Sales at Kia increased 60 per cent at 24,024 units in June, its highest monthly wholesales. In June 2021, the carmaker had delivered 15,015 cars to dealers.

Sales at Mahindra and Mahindra also surged 59 per cent at 26,880 units last month, up from 16,913 units sold last year. “Q1FY23 is our second consecutive highest SUV sales quarter,” Veejay Nakra, president, automotive division, M&M, said.

Sales at Toyota Kirloskar Motor jumped 87 per cent year-on-year to 16,500 units last month.

Honda Cars on Friday reported a 64 per cent year-on-year rise in domestic sales at 7,834 units.

Sales at Skoda rose to 6,023 units.