India Automobiles: May 2016 sales normalise (on expected lines) post a strong April, Ashok Leyland sales growth at 6% yoy disappoints; M&M tractors sales growth at 20% is a positive surprise

Passenger vehicles

·         Maruti Suzuki May sales were up 7.1% yoy at 123,034 units led by its new launches – Vitara Brezza and Baleno. While domestic sales were up 11% yoy at 113,162 units, exports were down 21% yoy at 9,872 units. Its domestic growth was driven by the compact segment (Swift, Baleno etc) which grew 11% yoy at 46,554 units and the UV segment (Vitarra Brezza, Ertiga, S-Cross) which grew 144% yoy to 13,596 units. However, segments that underperformed were -  Mini segment sales (Alto, WagonR, @33,105 units) which declined by 6% yoy and Super Compact segment sales (Dzire Tour, @2,555) which declined by 20% yoy.

·         For Tata Motors, domestic PV sales were down 22.3%yoy to 8,617 units despite the launch of the Tiago. Car sales were down 15% yoy at 7,787 units, UV sales were also down by 57% yoy to 830 units. Tata Motors hatchback sales grew by 7% at 5,643 units in May 2016, due to the recently launched Tiago.

·         For M&M, UV sales grew just 10% yoy at 18,648 units despite its new launches (TUV300 and KUV100). Pick-up sales witnessed a much better growth at 15% yoy. Its tractor sales were also up 19.5% yoy at 23,018 units.

·         For Escorts, tractor sales were up 10% yoy at 5,331 units in May.

·         Amongst unlisted players, Ford India has outperformed the industry with an impressive 48% yoy sales growth to 17,279 units (domestic sales up 22% and exports up 65%). Hyundai sales were up 1.2% yoy at 53,156 units (domestic sales up 10% and exports down 22% yoy). Honda Cars total sales were down 25% yoy at 10,605 units (domestic sales down 26% and exports down 1%) despite the launch of its new BRV (Sales of 2344 units in the month). Toyota Kirloskar posted 6% yoy growth in May2016 to 12,200 units led by its newly launched Innova Crysta. The Innova Crysta now has order bookings of 20k units and a waiting period of 2-4 months.

Two wheelers

·         Hero MotoCorp reported a 2.3%yoy growth in volumes in May at 583,117 units. This a 5% qoq decline and on expected lines as April month had seen huge inventory filling on account of the marriage season and regional festivals in different parts of the country.

·         For TVS Motors, total 2W sales were up 13% yoy at 238,320 units. Scooter sales continued to witness strong growth of 20% yoy, albeit over a low base to 65,434 units. Motorcycle sales grew just5.6% yoy to 96,485 units despite the launch of its Victor. Moped sales grew by 17% yoy to 76,401 units led by the launch of the 100cc XL Super. 3W sales declined by 41% yoy to 5,463 units on account of continued slowdown in exports. Total exports were down 18.5% yoy at 35,545 units due to the ongoing issue of lack of currency availability in some of its key markets including Nigeria.

·         Royal Enfield sustained its solid growth rate and posted 37.5%yoy growth to 48,604 units

·         Amongst unlisted players, HMSI posted a 18% yoy growth in domestic sales at 415,902 units. While scooter sales were up 24.7% yoy, motorcycle sales grew 7% yoy. Yamaha India’s domestic sales grew 36% yoy to 62,748 units.

Commercial vehicles

·         For Ashok Leyland, MHCV sales were up 8.4% yoy growth in May to 7,469 units. LCV sales were flat yoy to 2,406 units. This is the first month after 21 months that Ashok Leyland has posted a single digit growth.

·         For TTMT, domestic CV sales grew 14% yoy to 27,026 units. While domestic MHCV sales were up 23.4% yoy to 13,312 units, LCV sales grew 6% yoy at 13,714 units. 

·         VECV CV sales were up 44% yoy to 5,710 units. While HCV sales were up 33% yoy at 3,056 units, LCV sales were up 25% yoy to 1,649 units.

Fig1: Automobile snapshot May2016

Source: Company