New launches keep auto sales on growth track

Smaller players like Honda Siel Cars India (HSCI) registered a 3.98 per cent growth in sales selling 4,102 cars last month over 3,945 units in August last year. Fiat sold 2,782 units this August giving them an inflated growth figure of 692.59 per cent as most of the models in their current line up were launched in the last quarter of 2008 and early in 2009. They had sold 351 units in August of last year. Sales of Mahindra’s Logan continue to decline at a consistent pace as the car is phased out. Where 1,464 units were sold in August 2008,469 units were sold this August,a 67.96 per cent decline.

Things are also positive in the two wheeler segment with both Hero Honda and TVS Motors recording their best growth figures for 2009. Segment leaders Hero Honda continued to expand their lead over their nearest competition,selling four times as many units as TVS Motors in August this year and securing a 35.88 per cent increase in growth. The company sold 4,15,137 units last month against 3,05,516 units in August of last year.

Hero Honda senior vice-president (marketing and sales) Anil Dua said,“As we approach the second half of 2009,we have identified several opportunities to ensure Hero Honda continues to deliver a superior value proposition to its customers. A slew of new models have been lined up to hit the market. A couple of these launches are imminent,ahead of the festival season.”

TVS Motors’ sales also grew by 19.59 per cent. Where they had sold 96,238 units in August 2008,they sold 1,15,095 units in August of this year.