Car Sales Report September 2019: All Major Car Brands Continue Downward Sales Trend

Maruti Suzuki

Maruti Suzuki, India's largest car manufacturer has been facing the worst decline in the country since the start of 2019. The month of September has been no different, Maruti Suzuki continued its downward sales registering a 24% decline last month. However, this is a big improvement from August, when it registered a bigger 34% drop in sales.

Maruti Suzuki registered 122,640 units of sales in the previous month, a 24.8% drop compared to 162,290 units of sales during September 2018. This includes both domestic and export sales at both times.

In terms of quarterly sales (April - September 2019), the company has registered a de-growth of 26.5% in the Indian market. Sales stood at 675,423 units this year; compared to 919,240 units during the same period last year.

Hyundai

Hyundai Motors India has also registered a de-growth in the market in the month of September 2019. In the previous month, the company registered a decline of 14.8% with 40,705 units of sales, compared to 47,781 units in the same month last year.

However, the Korean carmaker has recovered slightly in terms of monthly sales. The company has improved from its sales performance in August 2019, when it registered a lower 16.58% decline in the market.

The improvement in the monthly sales performance of Hyundai can be attributed to the volume sales of the Venue compact-SUV and the Grand i10 NIOS, which were launched recently in India.

Tata Motors

Tata Motors has registered the highest decline among the top brands in the Indian market. The Indian car manufacturer in September 2019 registered a de-growth of 56%. The company registered 36,376 units in the previous month, a massive drop from 69,991 units from September 2018.

Mayank Pareek, President, Passenger Vehicles Business Unit, Tata Motors Ltd., "Towards the end of the month, there was an encouraging response in terms of customer foot falls. The customers have responded well to our festive offers as reflected in 11% more retail in September 2019 compared with August. However, the industry continued to decline in September."

Mahindra

Another home-grown car maker, Mahindra also registered declining sales in the Indian market. The company announced that the passenger vehicles sales recorded a decline of 21% in the month of September 2019. The company registered 43,343 units in the previous month, compared to 55,022 units in September 2018.

In terms of domestic sales, Mahindra registered a similar 21% drop with 40,692 units in September 2019; compared to 51,268 units during the same month last year. Export market took a slightly higher hit last month with a 29% drop in sales.

Veejay Ram Nakra, Chief of Sales and Marketing, Automotive Division, Mahindra and Mahindra, said, "We are positive that this festive season, with the onset of Navratri, will augur well for us and the automotive industry. This, in addition to factors such as the good monsoon and recently, announced positive government initiatives should help revive the industry in the short term."

Honda Cars India

Honda Cars India has improved in terms of monthly sales in the market. The company which registered over 50% decline in August 2019 has managed to recover in September. However, the overall sales is still 37% less than the sales in September 2018. Honda registered 10,247 units of sales last month, compared to 14,820 units during the same month last year.

Rajesh Goel, Senior Vice President and Director - Sales and Marketing, Honda Cars India Ltd. said, "While the market remained tough in September, the auto sales saw an uptick from this Aug'19 which is a positive sign. We hope the consumer sentiment further improves during the ongoing festive season and helps the sales momentum. There are attractive offers available in the market which make this as the best time for customers to buy new cars."

Toyota Motors India

Toyota Motors is yet another brand which has recorded a declining sales in the Indian market. The Japanese carmaker has recorded a decline of 17% in the month of September 2019, with 10,911 units of sales. This includes 10,203 units in domestic sales and 708 units of exports.

N. Raja, Deputy Managing Director, Toyota Kirloskar Motor said, "The consumer sentiment continued to be subdued in September which has reflected in the sales slowdown in the industry. Thanks to the Navratri and Diwali festive sparkle around, we expect the consumer demand will see the much needed revival resulting in better retails."

Thoughts On The Car Sales Report For September 2019

The car sales report for the month of September 2019, showcases the continuing downward trend in the Indian market. All major car manufacturers have registered declining sales yet again, for the 10th month in a row. However, with the onset of the festive season, many brands are expecting the market to improve in the coming months.