August 2016 Sales Report: Manufacturers See Double Digit Growth

Bajaj Auto and TVS Motors face downward growth in exports while Royal Enfield registers 30 per cent increase in exports

August 2016 has been a great month for two-wheeler makers in India. Every manufacturer has recorded growth in sales for the month. However, it is not just domestic sales but in exports too that some manufacturers have done great. All in all, with more bike launches in near future, expect the two-wheeler makers to perform even better. Here is a breakdown of the sales performance of some of the popular two-wheeler manufacturers in India.

Starting with Bajaj Auto, the company has recorded domestic sales of 1,74,719 units in August 2016 as against 1,37,948 vehicles in August 2015, recording an increase of 27 per cent. However, the exports of the company went down as it exported 1,05,192 vehicles in August 2016 against 1,52,448 bikes in August 2015, recording 31 per cent reduction in exports. This also hurt its overall sales performance in August 2016 where it has sold a total of 2,79,911 bikes as opposed to 2,90,436 bikes in August 2015, marking a 4 per cent reduction.

Its domestic rival, TVS Motors, also performed well in domestic sales, selling 2,38,984 bikes in August 2016 as opposed to 1,83,653 bikes in August 2015, recording a 30.1 per cent increase in sales. Exports, however, took a hit as it shipped 28,686 units in August 2016 as opposed to exporting 33,128 bikes in August 2015. This marks a decrease of 13.4 per cent in exports for August 2016. However, its overall sales were encouraging as it sold 2,67,670 units in August 2016 against 2,16,781 units it sold in August 2015, marking an increase of 23.5 per cent.

Hero MotoCorp also recorded growth in domestic sales, selling 6,16,424 two-wheelers in August 2016 as compared to 4,80,537 vehicles in August 2015, marking a sales growth of 20 per cent. However, its export figures were not available. Hero MotoCorp's former partner Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) sold 4,66,342 vehicles in the domestic market in August 2016, marking an increase of 25 per cent in sales as against August 2015, when it sold 3,73,136 units. In total, it sold 4,92,416 units in August 2016 as opposed to 3,95,196 units in August 2015. This marks an overall sales increase of 25 per cent for HMSI.

Yamaha India sold 74,868 vehicles in August 2016 as against 61,440 units in August 2015, marking a sales increase of 22 per cent. However, Yamaha India included sales in Nepal in its domestic figures. Lastly, Royal Enfield registered growth in domestic sales and exports. It sold 54,735 bikes in domestic market in August 2016 as against 41,600 units in August 2015, registering 32 per cent growth in domestic sales. As far as exports are concerned, Royal Enfield shipped 986 bikes in August 2016 as opposed to 760 bikes in August 2015, registering growth of 30 per cent. Overall, it sold 55,721 bikes in August 2016 as against 42,360 bikes in August 2015, marking a 32 per cent growth in overall sales.

This shows that at least when it comes to domestic sales, there is positive buying sentiment among masses in India. It is a good sign for the two-wheeler industry in India. Also, the government is planning to introduce a few reforms like making ABS mandatory on two-wheelers with engine capacity of 150cc or more in near future. The positive sentiment towards two-wheelers in India should be convincing enough for the government to fast-track the reforms in the industry.