Indian Auto Industry Sales Report for April 2010

After a stunning year-end performance in March 2010, Indian auto industry once again recorded an impressive growth in April 2010. Despite the recent price hikes and discontinuation of some car models in 13 big cities across the country due to BS 4 implications, all major car makers managed to increase their sales during this period. Almost all of them posted double digit growth figures that took the total sales of the domestic car market to a new height altogether.

Maruti Suzuki India reported a significant growth of 29.70% in total sales at 93,058 units as compared to 71,748 units sold during the corresponding period last year.

Tata Motors registered a 52.47% increase in total vehicles sales at 57,202 units, as compared to 37,518 units in the same month last year.

April 2010 total sales for Ford India witnessed a three-fold jump at 7,509 units. The company cited the good response to its small car recent launch Figo for this growth performance. It sold 2,034 vehicles during the corresponding period last year.

Hyundai Motor took its total sales figure for April 2010 to 52,020 units from 44,370 units in the same period previous year, which is a growth by 17.24%.

Toyota Kirloskar Motor, the Indian subsidy of Toyota registered a growth of 77.23% at 6,001 units against 3,386 units in the corresponding period previous year.

In the two wheeler segment, market leader Hero Honda put up a plateau performance. It managed to sell only 3,71,652 units as compared to 3,70,575 units in April 2009.

Suzuki Motorcycle India reported a growth of 53.22% in sales in April 2010. It sold 20,771 units compared to 13,556 units in the same period last year.

TVS Motor Company posted a 27.91% rise in sales at 1,44,689 units compared to 1,13,119 units in April last year.

Finally, India Yamaha Motor, regardless of premium pricing of its motorbikes, registered a growth of 42.01% in sales. It sold 24,960 units as compared to 17,576 units in the same month last year.

India: The World's Second-Fastest Growing Light Vehicle Market

India's auto industry is witnessing an unprecedented boom. At a time when the global auto market went into a self-withdrawal mode affected by the fuel price hikes and the sluggishly receding economic downturn, Indian car market showed its grit and managed to stand out. Zooming much ahead of the erstwhile matured car markets of Germany, France, Japan and the US, it went on to emerge as the world’s second-fastest growing light vehicle market, second only to China.

What do you think have played functional in this phenomenal growth performance? --- A perfect gelling of the government’s economic revival package with the country's low car penetration, new model launches, lower interest rates, and a stable economic growth have all combined to keep the demand for cars ticking.

According to a recent data released by the industry body Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), the light vehicle market in India grew 27.5% in 2009-10, while the world light vehicle market contracted by a significant 14% (the worst in the last eight years!). The auto market growth in Germany, France, Russia, Japan, UK, and US, however, has been just around 23%, 11%, -50%, -9%, -6% and -21% respectively. China was the only market where the light vehicle sales grew 42%.

In India, sales of light vehicles, including passenger cars, multi-purpose vehicles, light commercial vehicles, and utility vehicles, were primarily driven by a rapid growth in the demand of passenger cars by 25%.

Indian Auto Industry to Set New Sales Records this FY

It's 31st March today, and it's going to be a landmark day for the Indian domestic auto industry. Any guesses, why? - As the current financial year comes to an end today, the sales figure is set to hit an all time high of 12.2 million units in 2009-10 that surpasses its previous sales records of 10.1 million units in 2006-07.

This phenomenal growth is thought to be a resultant of four main things:

• - New launches, mainly in the the compact car category
• - Easily available car loan schemes with low interest rates
• - 4% reduction in excise duty as part of the fiscal stimulus
• - Phenomenon of low base-effect

Surge in auto sales during the mid-year festive season also contributed significantly to this two-digit growth performance. In fact, that was the reason why Society of Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) revised their one-digit fiscal forecast to a two-digit one.

The growth which mainly comes from the passenger car volumes and two wheelers and commercial vehicles, seems to be have given the confidence of SIAM a major boost. The apex industry body representing leading vehicle and vehicular engine manufacturers recently said, the growth momentum is here to stay and will continue further for the next couple of years in the domestic marketplace.

However, experts are of the view that there might be a slump in auto sales as the year proceeds. But for now, it is celebration time for automakers in India.

Renault Plans to Launch 7 Vehicles in India

The second largest car maker of France is all geared up to make a roaring entry in the Indian auto market. The decision of Renault to make a solo entry as an auto maker in India came after the company suffered a $3.8 billion loss in the first half of 2009.

Renault is ready to roll out 7 to 8 cars that include cars from a 1.1 liter hatchback to a luxury sedan. Till now, Renault has been selling cars in India in partnership Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M). Unfortunately, the company did not make much profit and was able to sell just 7000 cars in the past one year. Reviewing this decision, the automaker has planned to make its solo venture in India very soon.

Ford to Introduce a New Car in India Every 12-18 months

While Ford Figo is to reach Indian roads next week, the carmaker Ford is all geared up to give a tough competition to other carmakers in the compact car segment. Ford India has announced its plans to introduce a new car in the Indian auto market after every 12 to 18 months.

Speaking to a Business Line, President and Managing Director of Ford India Pvt Ltd., Mr Michael Boneham said, "Nearly 70 per cent of all cars sold in the country is in the small car segment. For us the majority of new launches will be in that segment across the next four to five years. What we are planning to do here is launch a new car every 12 to 18 months."

At present, the automaker is preparing to launch its hatchback - Ford Figo in small car segment. This most awaited model will be competing with small cars from the Hyundai Motor India, Maruti Suzuki and Tata Motors. With Figo is to be launched in the first week of February, the automaker is moving actively to create a better market on the Indian car industry. Meanwhile, seeing the strategy of Ford India in launching vehicles, it seems Ford car lovers will have to wait for another 12 to 18 months for another small car from Ford.

Tata Motors Board Meeting on January 29

A meeting of the Board of Directors of Tata Motors Limited will be held on Friday, January 29, 2010, to consider, inter alia, the Audited Results (Standalone) for the third quarter ended December 31, 2009 of the Accounting Year 2009-2010, pursuant to Clause 41 of the Listing Agreement.

Nine from Nissan

Nine vehicles one after the other. Nissan Motors is ready to sweep all other automakers in India off their feet. The Japanese automaker has plans to launch a total of 9 vehicles in India in the next two years. The 9 vehicles from Nissan include 4 CBU imported vehicles and the rest 5 would be made in India.

Nissan India has already made its way on the Indian roads with three cars that include - the recently launched Nissan 370Z, Teana sedan and X Trail that is a sports utility vehicle. These three cars have been Japanese imports in India.


The automaker has clearly stated that it will be manufacturing 5 cars in India. The first output from the company's Chennai plant will be a hatchback followed by a sedan version of the same model.

Now with 3 vehicles already in the Indian market and 6 more to come soon, its gonna be a almost like a win-win situation of Nissan Motors. We wish Nissan Motors All the very Best!!

Nissan Micra to be Launched in July 2010

The red carpet has been set for the global city car. After the seductive luxury sedan - Nissan 370Z, another Nissan product is ready to enter Indian auto market. This global city car is Nissan Micra. Nissan Micra will be launched in the month of July this year (read 2010).

The Japanese carmaker Nissan announced about the car launch yesterday that is 21st January, 2010. The production unit for Nissan opens up in the month of March and the actual production of the cars will begin in the month of May, 2010.

With this upcoming launch in the month of July, 2010, Nissan India plans to put up Nissan Micra as a mass production vehicle. The price and features of this most awaited launch is however not know, but the automaker claims it to be a competitively priced. Now, it is for us to see that how many lakhs will this global city car cost us?

Mercedes Benz E250 Launched in India

You must have seen and read about a number of new launches at the Mercedes pavilion at the Auto Expo this year. After some really charismatic cars, Mercedes benz has again launched a world class vehicle in India. At a launch ceremony in Mumbai, the Managing Director and CEO, Mercedes Benz India - Dr. Wilfried Aulbur launched Mercedes Benz E250 V6 and the E250 CDI Blue Efficiency.

Here are some of images of the recently launched Mercedes Benz E250

It's Mahindra This Time – Automaker Increases Rates of Vehicles

Third in a row. It's Mahindra this time to join the list of automakers who have increased the rates of their models in the new year. Stating rise in the rates of the raw materials as the major reason for the hike in car prices, Mahindra has made some minor changes in the rates of some of its models. Here are some of the car models whose rates have been hiked.

Models with the Announced Hike in Prices

• Scorpio - Rs. 6,400-9,300/-
• Xylo - Rs. 4,600/-
• Bolero - Rs. 4,800/-

Revised Prices of Maruti Suzuki Models

Effective 16th January, 2010, Maruti Suzuki has increased prices of all its car models. India's biggest and most favourite automaker, Maruti Suzuki has increased the prices that varies from 0.17 percent to 1.47 percent. Ask Maruti the reason for this rise and they have a valid answer to justify this plunge in car rates. The reason is - to recover the increase in the input costs arousing out of raw material costs over the past year.

Ex-Showroom Prices in Delhi (in Rs)
Model	New	Old	Increase	Change %
M800 Std	191646	191146	500	0.26
M800 Std Ac	213062	212562	500	0.24
Alto Std	231585	231085	500	0.22
Alto Lx	265262	264762	500	0.19
Alto Lxi	283878	283378	500	0.18
Omni Cargo LPG	194725	192725	2000	1.04
Omni Cargo	213706	213206	500	0.23
Omni (Eight Seater)	221268	220768	500	0.23
Omni LPG	230388	227388	3000	1.32
Esteem Lx	445968	444968	1000	0.22
Esteem Lxi	476223	475223	1000	0.21
Esteem Vxi	511520	510520	1000	0.20
Baleno Lxi	576173	575173	1000	0.17
Versa Dx	433575	432575	1000	0.23
Versa Dx2	471779	470779	1000	0.21
Versa Std	360182	359182	1000	0.28
WagonR Lx LPG	345106	340106	5000	1.47
WagonR Lxi LPG	373160	368160	5000	1.36

However, there is no increase in the prices of Swift, Zen, Baleno (Vxi) and WagonR (Petrol).

BMW in India only around 24 Lakhs

Be honest and tell me. Didn't you ever dream of owning a BMW? Now, your dream can come true easily. BMW India brings its cheapest BMW at Rs. 24 lakhs. BMW X1 is now the cheapest car from the automaker in Indian market. BMW X1 is being imported as CKD and the assembling would be done at the automaker's Chennai facility.

This cheapest car from BMW has a 2.0 liter diesel powerplant. As far as the higher variants of BMW X1 is concerned, these variants will have more power and 4 wheel drive. Though according to sources, the new BMW X1 in India is expected to cost around 24 lakhs, but auto experts believe that the car's on-road price with insurance and other charges might touch around 30 lakhs. Now from 24 lakhs to 30 lakhs.... that is definitely too much. But, one thing is for sure that for all Indians owning a BMW is now no more a difficult task.

Auto Expo 2010 – Honda to unveil small car

Now it's official. Honda Motors will be unveiling its 'small car at the Auto Expo 2010. At the upcoming exhibition in January, the automaker plans to present its small car concept. As for now, Honda Motors has not disclosed the name of this car but has codenamed it as '2CV'. According to the sources, this new concept car will not be a low car despite the fact that it is a small car designed especially for India.

A sneak peak at Honda's upcoming small concept car -

• Codenamed - '2CV'
• Engine - 1.1 liter engine
• Price - Rs.4.5 lakhs for its small car.
• Manufacturing Unit - Honda's plant in Rajasthan.
• Will Compete with - Maruti's Swift, Ritz

Honda plans to enter the 'B segment' of the car market with this upcoming car to be unveiled in Auto Expo 2010

Updates on Auto Expo 2010

Everyone in and around automobile's world is talking about Auto Expo 2010. Then what makes me stand behind! I myself had been following the updates about the upcoming event in January 2010. This keeps me up-to-date with almost everything happening around India's major auto event.

Why don't you join me in keeping a tab on what's happening and what's not at the upcoming Auto Expo 2010. Keep following......... :)