Overall passenger vehicle sales appeared muted in India in July 2018 when compared to July 2017. This was due to the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) last year which saw a substantial, albeit temporary, reduction in prices following which sales spiked in the months of July and August 2017. Hence, on an already high base, most manufacturers reported a dip in sales or only a marginal rise, whereas Honda and Tata bucked the trend by reporting 16.9 percent and 14.4 percent growth respectively on the back of new sub-4m car launches.
In the premium compact segment, Maruti's Vitara Brezza and Dzire continued to rake in sales. The Vitara Brezza sold 14,181 units, which despite putting it in the red with a 7 percent degrowth Y-o-Y, is far ahead of its nearest competitors Ford EcoSport (4,040 units) and Tata Nexon (3,840 units). The Vitara Brezza's dip in sales is attributed to Maruti giving priority to the new Swift to reduce waiting periods and as new bookings for the compact SUV have stabilized.
The Dzire sold 25,647 units marking a 74 percent increase in sales, though the highlight in the segment was the new Honda Amaze which sold 10,180 units, the highest since the introduction of the Amaze in 2013. Aside from the Dzire, Amaze and Tigor, all products in this segment saw numbers decline.
In the mid-size sedan segment, the Honda City took charge with 3,709 units (which is still a 24 percent decline Y-o-Y), followed by the Hyundai Verna with 3,351 and the new Toyota Yaris which declining to 1,400 units. As reported earlier, sales of the Ciaz were at 48 units owing to the introduction of the refresh this month.
Also read: 2018 Maruti Ciaz to have the highest fuel efficiency among petrol sedans
Some manufacturers blamed the trucker's strike for the dip in sales, while others acknowledge that buyers are putting off their purchase for the upcoming festive season.
Note: The numbers quoted in this article are factory dispatches to showrooms.
[Source - AutoPunditz.com]
