Hyundai India has revealed May 2019 sales report. The South Korean brand sold 42,502 cars in the domestic market last month. This when compared with sales registered in May 2018, is a decline by 5.6%. In May 2018, Hyundai domestic sales were 45,008 units.
But, thanks to increase in export figures, Hyundai India’s cumulative sales have grown in May 2019, as compared to May 2018. Last month exports stood at 16,600 units as against 11,008 units exported in the same month last year. This is a staggering 50% increase in exports. Cumulative sales for May 2019 stood 59,102 units while that in May 2018 were at 56,016 units. This is a growth of 5.5%.
In May 2019, Hyundai launched their new Venue compact SUV. A sub 4 meter SUV, whose bookings of the car opened on 2nd May, while first car officially rolled out the company plant on 6th May 2019. Soon after, dispatch to dealers had also started. Hyundai aims to sell about 10,000 units of Venue in India every month. The car has already received over 20,000 bookings since 2nd May.
Considering that the sales number calculated are not retail sales, but the cars which are shipped to the dealer from plant; Hyundai has included the units of Venue SUV which were manufactured in May 2019 in the sale report. Despite the launch of a new car, who has received record booking numbers, Hyundai India could not manage to save itself from posting a decline in domestic sales. It will be interesting to see how Venue sales help Hyundai. The SUV has been launched at an aggressive price, and is most likely to eat into the market share of rivals.
Hyundai is not the only car brand which has posted a decline in sales in domestic market. Maruti sales have declined by 24%, Tata sales declined 38%, Mahindra sales declined 1%, Honda sales declined 27%, Nissan India sales declined 47% and Toyota sales declined 12%. Only Hyundai and Mahindra have managed to post single digit decline in sales. All other major car brands have posted a double digit decline.
One of the biggest reason behind decline in sales is the upcoming BS6 norms. Many buyers are holding their purchase and waiting for the BS6 variants to launch. India will shift to BS6 norms by 1st April 2020. Another reason is the decline in buyer sentiment. SIAM – Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers wish that govt announce a cut in GST rate for auto sector in the upcoming budget, which will bring some respite to the decline in sales of auto industry in India.