Export of passenger cars from India during the calendar year 2018 recorded a 5.25% dip to 7 lakh units.
During 2017, India exported almost 7.39 lakh cars, according to the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) data.
“India’s overall exports during 2018 witnessed a fall due to various factors, including subdued market conditions. Reflecting the trend, passenger vehicle exports were also down. But, when compared with the export performance by other sectors, automobiles seem to have fared well,” said a top official of a leading automobile manufacturer.
Compared with 2017, top automakers barring Hyundai, Mahindra & Mahindra and Renault reported a negative growth. Hyundai exported 9,000 cars more than 2017, whereas Renault and Honda Cars reported only a marginal growth.
Volkswagen led the pack with a dip of 29,357 units, followed by Nissan India (11,857), Maruti Suzuki (9,660), Ford India (4,749), Toyota Kirloskar Motor (4,323) and GM India (1,662).
Ford maintains lead
Once again, Ford India maintained its lead over Hyundai in car exports. Ford exported 1.68 lakh cars against 1.60 lakh of Hyundai’s various models.
Earlier, carmakers used national highways to move their vehicles from the production site to the port. To cut time, cost and tackle congestion issue, they tried moving cars through coastal waterways and railways. However, after the trial runs, they reverted to roadways following abnormally high freight cost associated with travelling time and distance.
Out of total export of over 7 lakh units, a third was shipped through Kamarajar Port and Chennai Port Trust. Kamarajar Port, which had been catering to the demands of various passenger car manufacturers in and around Chennai, is gearing up to handle 2 lakh units during the current year.
Chennai Port, which used to handle about 2 lakh cars per annum, saw it fortunes dip on congestion issue, now handles more than 1.30 lakh units. Hyundai is the only passenger carmaker to use Chennai Port, according to port sources.
