AHMEDABAD: Early signs of an economic slowdown coupled with dried up demand post pandemic dented vehicle registrations in Gujarat by 33% in 2020. Data by Union ministry of road transport suggests that 10.9 lakh vehicles were registered in Gujarat in 2020 (till Dec 28), against some 16.24 lakh vehicles registered in 2019.
Experts claim the impact of slowdown was visible even before the pandemic when automobile sales declined. “For two months of lockdown, there was barely any sale and it took long for the market to revive in terms of growth,” said Pranav Shah, chairman – Gujarat, Federation of Automobile Dealers’ Association (FADA).
While car registrations declined by 14% in Gujarat, two-wheeler registrations were down 35% from 11.63 lakh in 2019 to 7.5 lakh in 2020. “Incomes of two-wheeler buyers were hit, so sales remain muted,” said Shah.
Sales of three-wheelers plunge by 48% in state
Reluctance to hail autos in times of Covid-19 and overall reduced venturing out due to work from home impacted the revenues of auto rickshaw drivers, said industry sources.
This saw sales of three-wheelers including passenger autos and tempos plunge by a steep 48 decline.
The only bright spot in vehicle registrations were agriculture vehicles including tractors, trailers and harvesters which showed an aggregated 13% growth, as agriculture was the only sector that posted growth post pandemic, outshining other sectors.