Honda Cars India Ltd. (HCIL), reports domestic sales of 10,314 units in June 2019. Sales decline is down 41.4 percent from 17,602 units sold in June 2018. HCIL exported a total of 252 units in June 2019. Exports are down 48.1 percent from 486 units sold in June 2018.
Rajesh Goel, Senior Vice President and Director, Sales and Marketing, Honda Cars India Ltd said, “The auto industry is going through its worst slowdown with continuous decline for many months. Going forward, any initiative which can jumpstart the demand will definitely be a positive for the industry.”
2019 started on a positive note for HCIL. Q1 FY2019-20 has been unkind. HCIL sales for Q1 FY2019-20 (April-June 2019) is reported at 33,028 units. Sales decline stands at 22.48 percent, down from 42,609 units sold in Q1 FY2018-19.
Q1 2019 sales stood at 48,990 units. This was at sales growth of 22.28 percent, up from Q1 2018 sales of 40,062 units. H1 (Q1 + Q2) 2019 sales stand at 82,018 units. This is down marginally at 0.78 units from 82671 units sold through H1 2018. While Q2 sales has been weak for HCIL, strong Q1 sales have ensured that the company isn’t staring at a noticeable sales decline midway through the year.
In the last FY, Honda launched three cars – Honda Amaze, Civic, and CR-V. Of this, Honda Amaze, a mass market offering has posted record numbers for the brand. For HCIL, 2nd-gen Amaze 100,000 sales units was reported in 13 months since launch in mid-May 2018. This is the brand’s fastest 100,000 sales milestone here. On the occasion, the company launched a a special Honda Amaze Ace Edition.
The next big launch will be the Honda HR-V. The compact SUV is currently being tested in India. Once launched, Honda HR-V takes in Hyundai Creta, Jeep Compass, Tata Harrier and MG Hector in the segment.
To be launched in India via the CKD route, Honda HR-V launch is expected closer to the 2019 festive season. With BSVI norms to be mandated by April 2020, the upcoming Honda HR-V is expected to be BSVI compliant. Engine details are not confirmed as yet. The 1.5-litre i-VTec petrol engine, which powers Honda City is likely to be used. In time, the new gen BSVI compliant Honda City will be launched, most likely, following a grand showcase at 2020 Auto Expo.
