Maruti Suzuki India revealed sales report for the month of June 2019, when the company sold 1.13 lakh cars in the domestic market and exported 9,847 units. In comparison to June 2018, when domestic sales were at 1,35,662; the June 2019 sales have declined by 16.7 percent. Exports in comparison have increased by 5.7%.
This is the 8th consecutive month where Maruti Suzuki India has posted sales decline and the 3rd consecutive month when the decline is in double digit. The biggest decline in sales was registered by the mini segment, which includes Alto and old WagonR range. This segment sold 18,733 units in June 2019, as compared to 29,381 units last year same month.
Compact segment of cars too registered a decline, despite the addition of the new WagonR. This segment includes cars like Swift, Baleno, Celerio, Ignis, Dzire; registered sales of 62,897 units against 71,570 units sold in June 2018. Below is the detailed sales report of Maruti Suzuki India for June 2019.
In the mid-size sedan segment, under which only Ciaz is on sale by the company, the company posted an increase in sales. Maruti Ciaz sales increased 47% in June 2019. Utility vehicle sales too declined. This segment includes Vitara Brezza, Gypsy, Ertiga and S-Cross.
Seated comfortably with the title of the India’s largest auto manufacturer for donkey’s ears, recent months have seen MSIL report sales decline. This however doesn’t topple MSIL from its top spot. Last month, Maruti updated a range of its cars to meet AIS-145 Safety Norms, which are mandated from today, i.e., July 1, 2019. This has warranted a price revision across a range of its updated models.
In keeping pace with much needed safety and cleaner car norms, the Indian auto industry is at the cusp of necessary updates. Vehicles sold in India will have to conform to Bharat New Vehicle Safety Assessment Program (BNVSAP) norms that come into effect from October 1, 2019. As such, the next few months will see MSIL work on related updates.
Thereafter, all cars will have to update to BSVI norms on April 1, 2020. With each new wave of tech updates, comes a revised price list. At the same time current market situations have seen buying decisions affected. Together, it makes for dampened buyer sentiment.