Top Gainers and Losers; September 2013 Car Sales Analysis

In the on going festive season, the month of September 2013 has seen a fair amount of ups and downs concerning the auto sector. At a time when manufacturers would be looking to offer the best of schemes and discount to woo the perspective customer, we trace their trail to figure out the 'Top Gainers and Losers' in area of sales.

To provide a basic idea of total production of passenger during the time period of April to September 2013, the numbers stood at 1,157,398 units, which when compared to 2012 attributed to 1,177,004 units indicating a negative growth of 1.67 percent. The reason for this is economic slowdown plus rise in inputs costs along with a decrease in the purchasing power of perspective customers.

In the area of domestic sales, the Indian automobile industry experienced a negative growth of 4.67 percent as the number of passenger cars sold were 8,55,318 units during September 2013-14 as compared to 8,97,261 units for the same duration during 2012-13. However, when referred to exports, the market saw a growth of 9.99 percent from the current 292,205 units being exported since April - September as against 265,668 units for the same period last year.

Claim to fame, Utility Vehicles is one segment which has been generating quite an interest among utility and SUV enthusiasts. Despite some in introductions, the production figures state that this segment experienced a negative growth figure of 0.66 percent as the figure stood at 262,857 units for April to September as against 264,599 units for the same duration during 2012-2013. While the domestic sales which were currently at 243,640 units (April - September 2013-14) until last month has seen a decline of 4.79 percent as against 255,896 units having being sold during the same period last year. Exports in this segment has seen exponential growth with 295.48 percent increase, which rose from 3,691 units from month of April to September 2012-13 to 14, 597 units in 2013-14.

Speaking of Domestic Sales year on year for the month of September 2013 concerning Indian manufacturers

1. Honda Cars India: 87.98 percent, 10,354 units sold
2. Fiat India: 67.08 percent, 1,086 units sold
3. Hindustan Motors: 42.55 percent, 335 units sold
4. Ford India: 36.52 percent, 10,640 units sold
5. Hyundai Motors: -0.81 percent 30,601 units sold
6. Toyota Kiloskar Motors: - 0.83 percent, 12,015 units sold
7. Maruti Suzuki Motors: -1.80 percent, 90,399 units sold
8. General Motors: -4.71 percent, 7048 units sold
9. Volkswagen India: -12.59 percent 4,519 units sold 
10. Renault India: -15.36 percent 4,822 units sold

Key points:

* Honda leads the pack with the introduction of the Amaze, their first ever diesel car in the country. The City also seems to be fairing quite well after a lull as it raked in 2043 units, during this month as against 953 units in the month of August 2013.

* Fiat which is currently on a revamping mode with its dealer expansion programme and customer initiatives, helping it do well in the market. Plus the introduction of refreshed models seem to be working in favour of the Italian manufacturer.

* Hindustan Motors which is currently on a revival mode with legendary 'Ambassador' find themselves growing by 42.55 percent. However, HM has never been a mass seller, this month too their sales stood at 335 units.

* Running high on the success of Figo and recently launched EcoSport, Ford India is the 4th automaker to experience a positive growth.

Top Ten Selling Cars in September 2013

1. Maruti Suzuki Alto - 23,620 units sold

2. Maruti Suzuki Swift - 16,839 units sold

3. Maruti Suzuki Dzire - 16,708 units sold

4. Maruti Suzuki Wagon R - 15,448 units sold

5. Mahindra Bolero - 8,952 units sold

6. Hyundai Grand i10 - 8,411 units sold

7. Honda Amaze - 6,679 units sold

8. Hyundai Eon - 6,284 units sold

9. Ford EcoSport - 6,203 units sold

10. Hyundai i20 - 5,741 units sold

* Maruti Suzuki India has once again conquered the first position in the list of top selling cars. It is incredible that despite having competition like Eon and Spark, the Alto has managed to get itself really big numbers.

* Top 4 position are being held by Maruti which states that the Indian auto major still holds a decent amount of market share despite decline in the industry sales.

* Hyundai's continuation to the i10 series 'Grand' has been an instant success considering that its recent introduction into the Indian market has meant 8,411 units of this hatch were sold in September itself. Entry level Eon and premium hatch i20 too feature in top ten selling list, showing the potential of the Korean automaker.

* Honda's Amaze which still is experiencing long waiting periods for deliveries comes in at 7th position due to brand image and value for money.

Top Ten Gainers (Month on month)

* Hyundai's Grand i10 is doing exceptionally well as it tops the chart with over 350% month on month growth.

* Fiesta Classic and Honda City qualify second and third to cement their places in the sedan segment as top two sellers. However, both these cars are being sold mainly in urban India.

* Sail U-VA and Sedan seem to be hanging in there in the top ten gainers giving Chevrolet something to cheer about.

* Maruti's Estilo and Alto once again figure in the achiever's list, showcasing the Indo-Japanese automaker's might within the small car segment.

* Tata Safari Range ( including Storme) and Duster keep alive the aspirations of the SUV segment as 'Top Ten Gainers'.

Top Ten Looser (Month on month)

* Hyundai's i10 is the biggest looser since the recent introduction of the Grand i10, which has eaten into the sales of the i10.

* Maruti's Ertiga and A-Star look to be in disarray due to loss of sales in these two months because of fierce competition. Also introduction of new models within their individual segments has hampered the sales.

* Enjoy, Venture and Innova see a decline in the MUV segment due to people's shift towards entry level compact SUVs such as Ford EcoSport, Renault Duster and Nissan Terrano.