June 2020 Two-Wheeler Sales - Achhe Din For Manufacturers?

Normalcy is setting in after the lockdown relaxation

We are finally seeing some scope of things getting back on track for two-wheeler manufacturers. The sales report for June 2020 shows signs of growth with Honda and Hero MotoCorp selling almost as many two-wheelers as they did before the lockdown was enforced in March. Here’s a short synopsis of how each manufacturer did this past month:

Hero MotoCorp

Hero has had quite a positive month selling close to 4.5 lakh units, almost as much as it did in January 2020. The homegrown brand has opened up nearly 95 per cent of its touchpoints across the country and provided buyers an online portal to book and purchase their next Hero motorcycle or scooter. It ended the month with the launch of the highly anticipated Xtreme 160R.

Honda

Much like Hero, Honda outlets have also become operational in almost all areas except those in containment zones. Honda sold nearly 3 lakh units in June which was almost thrice of what it sold in May. Its service centres have also seen a rise in demand, servicing 22 lakh two-wheelers in June (vs 10.5 lakh in May). The Japanese brand has been updating the remaining lot of BS4 models to BS6 with three models -- CD110 Dream, Grazia 125 and Livo -- launched this month. Even in the large-capacity segment, Honda has started delivering the CRF1100L Africa Twin Adventure Sports. 

Bajaj

Bajaj has also had quite a successful month. It sold almost 50,000 units less in India than what it did a year ago. What has majorly impacted its business is exports, which should improve in the coming few weeks. The split seat version of the Pulsar 125 was launched in June and booking for the Chetak has resumed once again. Also, there were a few price hikes in store for a couple of its products. How will that affect sales? Let’s hope not too much.

TVS

It has been a slow start on the road to recovery but TVS’s sales record has seen positivity. The Hosur-based manufacturer has managed to sell almost 2 lakh units last month, which is a mere 90,000 units short than what it sold in June 2019. TVS is yet to launch the Victor and the Scooty Zest in BS6 avatar. We guess it could happen in July. But TVS increased prices of almost its entire BS6 portfolio in June. Good news is the price hikes aren’t significant.

Royal Enfield

Royal Enfield hasn’t managed to get back to as much sales fitness as the other four, managing to only sell 38,000 units this month compared to 58,000 motorcycles sold in 2019. The delayed launch of the Meteor 350 has definitely impacted RE’s plans. Hopefully, the new J-platform bikes get here soon.