Two Wheeler Sales in the Indian Automotive Market Post Diwali

Two Wheeler Sales in the Indian Automotive Market Post Diwali
Two-wheeler sales after Diwali
Two Wheeler Sales in the Indian Automotive Market Post Diwali
Two-wheeler sales after Diwali

Bajaj Auto sales dip further in the last few months

The previous financial year has presented some pretty upsetting figures for most Indian automotive manufacturers. A lot of them have new product launches planned despite such statistics, to improve their chances in the coming year. Among them is our beloved two-wheeler manufacturer Bajaj Auto which has recently unveiled the electric reincarnation of their most popular scooter – Chetak. Scheduled to go on sale in January 2020, the new Chetak is expected to be priced at Rs. 1.25 lakh and will target small volumes initially. With an upright, relaxed riding position, a digital instrument console with connectivity, and two riding modes, the Chetak will be launched in six colour options.

Bajaj owned KTM will also be unveiling some new motorcycle models at the upcoming 2019 EICMA, some of which it will then bring to India by early 2020.

Bajaj’s two-wheeler segment registered nine per cent short sales of Rupees four lakh sixty-three thousand, two hundred and eight units last month as compared to the previous year’s five lakh six thousand units. They recorded less than two lakh eighty thousand units in domestic sales in October this year, against almost three lakh twenty thousand sales of motorcycle sales alone, in the same month last year. Their export number have also fallen though only by a small margin of one per cent, having sold one lakh eighty-four thousand units as compared to last year’s one lakh eighty-six thousand.

Last month however saw some improvement in the export sales at one lakh, and fifty-six thousand units against a lakh and fifty-one thousand units recorded the same time the previous year.

Combined figures of motorcycle and commercial sales showed an overall drop of almost seven per cent in Financial year 2019-20 in comparison to the previous FY.

Despite the drop in sales, the company has recorded consolidated profit post taxations, at over Rs 1500 Crore.

Royal Enfield export figures better than before

Like in the case of Bajaj as mentioned above, export market sales have also been better for Eicher owned Indian motorcycle manufacturer Royal Enfield. Though their domestic sales declined by four per cent in October this year, their export markets climbed a few spots. Last month saw the company send almost seventy-two thousand units as against seventy thousand units, the same time the previous year. Their overall sales have also shown considerable improvement – courtesy the festive season, since like every other manufacturer they had also felt the blow of the Indian automotive slowdown. July this year had seen their most significant sales shortfall in three years as they fell below the fifty thousand units mark. Domestic sales will take some time to get back up as numbers are still short of what they were recorded to be last year, but exports are the rage right now.

Post-launch of their 650 cc siblings – the Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 and the Royal Enfield Interceptor 650, in 2018, the company has stepped closer to the throne of the midsized global motorcycle market. Their growing export numbers are a result of their relentless pursuit of new and fresh global opportunities. The company plans on building one of the largest international market portfolios in their segment and are pushing envelopes wherever they can. July this year, they exported more than five thousand units, and by October these numbers had grown by nine hundred and eighty-seven per cent, as compared to last year.

At the end of FQ1, the company had successfully set up its first-ever international assembly plant e in Thailand. This plant acknowledges the company’s first such subsidiary in the entire Asia Pacific. It has been commissioned to provide for the growing international demand of Royal Enfield’s global products in new regional markets. The company has an established brand image in many nations across South East Asia and the Australian subcontinent.

The company is a pioneer in riding experience event organisation and has an excellent reputation for such initiatives with numerous events throughout the country every year. Some of their most popular rider events and experiences include the Himalayan Odyssey and the annual gala in Goa also known as the Royal Enfield Rider Mania. Every year these event venues come alive with thousands of enthusiastic footfalls from all over the country, great music, and an impressive display of customised Royal Enfield motorcycles by individuals and professional custom houses alike, in addition to some humbling and liberating ride experiences. October this year saw the beginning of yet another event – the Himalayan Adventure. The first of its kind ride organised by the brand, the Himalayan adventure takes an overland journey to base camps of three of the highest peaks in the world – Mount Everest, Shishapangma, and Cho Oyu.

Royal Enfield has made commendable efforts to keep its customers happy and in connecting them through means of groups and events. It is one of the primary reasons for keeping them afloat and pushing through such market slowdowns as the one industry is currently going through.