Two- and three-wheeler’s sales inch up in March

Mumbai/Chennai/New Delhi, April 3 (IANS) Major two- and three-wheeler manufacturers on Monday reported a marginal increase in sales for March 2017.

"The impact of demonetisation is now over. The new launches are attracting customers to the dealership and significant discounts on BS-III vehicles over the last few days have improved the performance, especially the two-wheelers and commercial vehicles segment," said Abdul Majeed, Partner - Price Waterhouse and an auto expert.

The world's largest two-wheeler manufacturer Hero MotoCorp (HMCL) reported a marginal rise in its total sales which stood at 609,951 units sold last month from 606,542 units sold in March 2016.

"Further consolidating its leadership position, Hero MotoCorp clocked its highest-ever sales in a financial year at 66,63,903 units, compared to 66,32,322 units it had sold in the previous fiscal (FY '16)," the company said in a statement.

However, two- and three-wheeler major Bajaj Auto reported a decline of 11 per cent in its total sales, including exports, for the month under review to 272,197 units from 305,800 units reported during the corresponding month of 2016.

Besides, its total domestic sales in March stood at 169,279 units -- down 17 per cent -- from 204,281 units sold during the like month of last year.

On the other hand, its overall exports during the last month were a tad higher by a per cent to 102,918 units from 101,519 units shipped out during the corresponding month of 2016.

The company's total motorcycle sales during the month under review slipped by eight per cent to 244,235 units from 264,249 units sold in the like month of last year.

In addition, the overall commercial vehicle sales plunged by 33 per cent to 27,962 units from 41,551 units sold during March 2016.

Other two- and three-wheeler maker TVS Motor Company reported a rise in its total sales of 10.7 per cent from 226,643 units recorded in March 2016 to 250,979 units in March 2017.

The domestic two-wheelers sales of the company grew by 8.4 per cent to 216,995 units, while the three-wheeler vehicles segment registered sales of 5,362 units in March 2017 as against 5,874 units in March 2016.

According to the company, its total exports grew by 23.6 per cent to 38,462 units during the month under review.

On financial year basis, Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India reported a 12 per cent growth in its domestic sales of 5,008,103 units for 2016-17 over 4,483,462 units sold in 2015-16.