Region’s car sales see double-digit growth

Vijay C Roy

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 2

In sync with the national trend, car sales in the northern region witnessed a double-digit growth in October, riding on the festive season.

According to dealers, sales of sedans, hatchbacks and SUVs registered around 15-20 per cent increase in demand from the customers as safe personal mobility goals coupled with attractive finance and offers dwarfed other consumer priorities amid the pandemic.

Normally, car carmakers in India report wholesale dispatches made from factories to dealers and not actual sales to consumers, so the actual sales is always less than the reported figures.

No inventory left with some dealers

The demand was such that many dealers exhausted their inventory, leaving virtually no new cars to deliver to prospective buyers — Mohit Pratap, MD, PMG Automobiles

Sales vary from dealership to dealership

On an average, the dealers witnessed 10-20 per cent growth in sales during October. The sales vary from dealership to dealership and also depend upon the brand they are handling — Deepak Joshi, MD, Joshi Autozone

However, the month of October was unusual, as dealers based in North India reported actual sales surpassing wholesale dispatches, with many exhausting their inventory.

“Thanks to strong and refreshed product line-up and attractive consumer offers, the dealers witnessed increased off-take,” said Mohit Pratap, managing director, PMG Automobiles.

The car dealers said they witnessed better retail sales during the Navratra period, considered auspicious for buying new things and property.

“On an average, the dealers witnessed 10-20 per cent growth in sales during October. The sales vary from dealership to dealership and also depend upon the brand they are handling,” said Joshi Autozone managing director Deepak Joshi.

In percentage terms, Kia and Tata dealership registered 60-80 per cent increase in sales this October compared to last year. Dealers expect the demand to continue through Diwali, which will further accentuate growth for the industry at large.

The auto industry always banks on the festive season for sales. With Diwali round the corner and Christmas to follow soon after, the industry is hopeful of seeing better sales in the last couple of months of this year to make up for a dismal start.

The total dispatches of all carmakers (excluding luxury) combined to dealers was around 3.34 lakh units in October, as against 2.84 lakh during the corresponding period of last year, witnessing an 18 per cent growth.

The northern region, comprising Punjab, Chandigarh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, J&K, including Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, contributes 25-30 per cent to the total sales.