The slowdown has hit not only the four wheeler passenger and commercial vehicle segment but also two wheeler sales in the country. This slowdown has been plaguing the industry over the past many months and in the past quarter, two wheeler sales dipped 11.64 percent while car sales dipped 18.22 percent.
We take into account 8 leading two wheeler makers and their sales over Q2 19 as compared to sales in the Q2 18 period along with differences in market share. Out of these, it may be noted that it was only Bajaj Auto and Suzuki that experienced an increase in sales while their market share also increased along with TVS, Royal Enfield and Yamaha.
Hero MotoCorp, the leading two wheeler maker in the country experienced decline to the extent of 12.36 percent in the past quarter. Sales which had stood at 20,60,342 units in the Q2 18 period, dipped to 18,05,631 units in Q2 19. Market share fell marginally from 36.32 percent in Q2 18 period to 36.02 percent in the past quarter. The company has noted outstanding success where the Hero Splendor is concerned retaining a top spot in the list of best selling bikes in India in June 2019. The Hero HF Deluxe, Glamour and Passion also featured among the top 10 best selling bikes in the country.
Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India Pvt Ltd also noted a dip in sales by 20.52 percent. Sales in the past quarter dipped to 13,43,538 units as against 16,90,423 units sold in the same period of the previous year. Market share fell 2.99 percent to 26.80 as compared to 29.80 percent in the Q2 18 period. The Honda Activa retained its numero uno position in the scooter segment.
TVS Motors noted a decrease in sales in the past quarter. Sales in dipped 3.05 percent to 7,11,632 units in Q2 19 as compared to sales of 7,34,011 units in Q2 18. Market share however increased 1.26 percent to 14.20 in Q2 19 as against 12.94 percent in Q218.
Bajaj Auto sales increased 2.81 percent to 6,10,936 units in the past quarter as against sales of 5,94,234 units in the same period of the previous year. Market share also went up 1.71 percent to 2.81. Bajaj Auto has just announced a hike in prices across its entire fleet of motorcycles in the country. This price hike is from the entry level CT100 to the Dominar 400 citing reasons of higher input costs.
Suzuki sales increased 16.15 percent in the past quarter. Sales which stood at 1,52,097 units in A2 18 went up to 1,76,664 units in Q2 19 leading to an increase in market share by 0.84 percent to 3.52 percent.
Sales of Royal Enfield in Q2 19 went down to 1,74,430 units, dipping 20.61 percent as compared to sales of 2,19,725 units in the same period of the previous year. Market share also dipped 0.39 percent to 3.48 percent as compared to 3.87 percent in Q2 18. Launch of the next gen Royal Enfield Classic is on the horizon, which will help boost sales.
Yamaha Motor India also reported de-growth in the recent quarter with sales dipping 15.11 percent. Sales went down to 1,72,604 units in Q2 19 as against sales of 2,03,335 units in the same period of the previous year. Market share also fell 0.14 percent to 3.44 as against 3.58 in Q2 18.
Piaggio India, who sells scooters under Vespa and Aprilia brand, saw sales dip 9.43 percent to 16,854 units in Q2 19 as against sales of 18,608 units in the same period of the previous year. Market share went up marginally by 0.01 percent to 0.34 in Q2 19 as against 0.33 percent in Q2 18.
These sales results took total sales of scooters and motorcycles to 50,12,289 units in Q2 19, down 11.64 percent as compared to sales of 56,72,775 units in Q2 18. Market analysts see no change in sight over the next few months, particularly on account of the recent news that the Government of India plans to increase registration charges on cars and two wheelers by up to 4,000 percent. This steep hike in charges are for all categories of vehicles that use internal combustion (IC) engines.
