India May auto sales down 48pc from April

Major auto companies have registered a surge in production in May 2021 from the prior year period. The numbers in May 2020, however, were very low owing to a more stringent lockdown and a decline in production days.  Most auto companies reported a double-digit growth of over 60pc. Some even reported a 500pc growth from last year. Sales in May, however, dipped by 48pc from April levels.

Auto sales in India stood at around 877,826 units in May, down 48pc from the prior month. The decrease was a result of COVID-19 cases spiking which led to lockdown and curfews with only essential shops running in May. Dealerships in major cities were also forced to shut down. Several manufacturers decided to scale down production in the current market condition.

Maruti Suzuki in May sold 46,555 units, down 71pc from the prior month. In May last year, the company sold just 18,539 units. Compared to April 2021, sales fell 71pc in May.

Honda Cars India’s sales rose 545pc in May compared to the prior year but slipped 73pc from the prior month. In May the company recorded sales of 2,417 units. Kia Motors India sold 11,050 units in May, witnessing a jump of 565pc from May last year. Compared to April 2021, Kia’s sales slipped 31pc. Hyundai Motor India’s sales in May were reported at 30,703 vehicles, up 144pc from the prior year and down 48pc from the prior month.

The heavy vehicles segment suffered a significant drop in sales in May. Eicher Motors reported a decline of 43pc with 1,223 sold units compared to April. Tata Motor’s heavy vehicle segment witnessed a drop of 48pc with 2,583 units sold in May from a month ago.

The farm vehicles segment also took a less severe hit in May compared to April. Sales by Escorts fell by 8pc drop in May compared to the previous month owing to lockdown situation, said the company. Sales by Mahindra & Mahindra fell 12pc compared to the prior month. M&M sold 24,184 units in May.

Two-wheeler sales also fell in May compared to the prior month. Honda’s two-wheelers sales dipped 79pc to 58,168 units, TVS sold 166,889 vehicles, down 30pc from the previous month, and Hero MotoCorp reported a decline of 51pc to 183,004 units.