Despite heavy year-end discounts and special offers for new purchases, it has been the same story of lower sales for passenger car makers in December.
However, Maruti and Hyundai managed to post single-digit growth in their domestic sales, helped by entry-level volumes and buoyant rural markets.
Most of the other brands reported decline in sales in December 2013 when compared with December 2012 volumes.
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Maruti’s domestic PV volumes were up by about six per cent at 86,613 units in December 2013 as against 82073 units in December 2012. Barring mini, super compact and van segments, all other categories reported drop in volumes for Maruti. Mini segment (comprising Maruti 800, Alto, A-Star, Wagon-R), reported 17 per cent rise in sales at 38,286 units. Super compact category (Dzire) posted 18 per cent rise in volumes at 15,427 units despite stiff competition from Honda Amaze.
Van segment (Omni, Eeco) sales grew by five per cent at 8312 units. Maruti’s exports, however, declined 67 per cent at 4311 units in December 2013.
“Maruti’s domestic performance continued to be driven by a pick up in the mini segment, which grew strongly by 16.7 per cent y-o-y,” said Yaresh Kothari, auto analyst at Angel Broking.
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Hyundai Motor India Ltd (HMIL), India’s second largest car brand, posted domestic volumes of 28,345 units when compared with 26,697 units, posting a rise of two per cent.
Domestic volumes grew by six per cent at 28,345 units.
Exports were, however, down two per cent 20,724 units. “Year 2013 was very challenging and rewarding. With December retails of 45,911 units, Hyundai achieved its annual business plan, and highest market share since inception,” said Rakesh Srivastava, Senior Vice-President - Sales & Marketing, HMIL.
December 2103 saw Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) posting 12 per cent fall in domestic volumes at 10,648 units when compared with 12,071 units in December 2012.
“The market sentiments do not seem to be improving. In the last few months, we have made our best efforts to control inventory both at TKM and at our dealers’end,” Sandeep Singh, Deputy Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer, Marketing and Commercial, TKM, said.
Mahindra & Mahindra’s PV (which includes the utility vehicles and car Verito) sales fell 28 per cent 16,436 units as against 22,761 units.
“Utility vehicle sales of the company remain impacted by a sluggish demand environment and increased competition,” said Mr. Kothari.
General Motors India’s volumes stood 5705 units in December 2013 as against 7067 units in the same month previous year, registering a decline of 19 per cent.
Ford India’s domestic sales were down 9.9 per cent at 5,871 units when compared with 6,517 units. However, it registered 22 per cent rise in exports at 5338 units as against 4382 units.