SIAM says Indian Auto industry registers domestic sales decline and negative exports growth for April-September 2012

The Indian auto industry has been experiencing a downfall in domestic sales as also exports in this year due to fluctuating economies and sluggish performance in the car markets. Statistics have shown that there has been a growth of only 2.44 percent being registered for the production from April to September 2012. The industry produced only 1,672,767 units in September 2012 as compared to 1,773,154 vehicles in the year 2011.

The domestic sales for 2012 were 3.62 percent more than last year, whereas the overall sales registered a decline of 9.43 percent during the month of September 2012. Sales for April- September 2012 relating to Passenger vehicles segment grew by about 6.96 percent while the passenger cars segment suffered a decline of 0.27 percent. Sales of utility vehicles and vans grew by 55.83 percent in April-September 2012 as compared to the same period last year. Light commercial vehicles registered a growth percentage while medium and heavy vehicles segment saw a decline in sales. Three wheeler sales were positive while goods carrier sales registered negative growth.

The two wheeler market experienced a short wave of growth in the period from April- September 2012; however, during the month of September 2012, growth was registered in the negative. Automobile exports and two wheeler exports registered negative growth while passenger vehicles and commercial vehicles exports grew in the April-September 2012 period. During the month of September 2012 car exports grew while two wheel exports declined as compared to the same period last year.