Indian Two-Wheeler Market Sales Report; March 2014

New fiscal year has began and last year's sales reports of every two-wheeler manufacturer is now available. It is good to see that every manufacturer has shown a potential growth except our home grown manufacturer, Bajaj. Let's check the reports of all the manufacturers and what the company officials have said about the year.

The last year has been sluggish for the Auto Industry and except the emerging Honda 2wheelers, however this year, we are expecting good number as the new Govt might take some positive steps to improve the condition of the Indian automotive scenario. Also, the increasing craze of superbikes will also cultivate the entry and mid level motorcycle segment, which will increase market share of premium bike manufacturer and motivate new companies to enter the Indian market. The FY 2014-15 will be dominated by the Hero MotoCorp largely as the manufacturer planning an all new range of vehicles, Honda will continue to grow further and Bajaj might recover and the surprise element might be the Chennai based TVS motors, as it has some upcoming capable product, which can do wonders for the company.

1.) Hero MotoCorp Limited

Hero MotoCorp sold 62,45,895 units of two-wheelers during the financial year (April 1, 2013–March 31, 2014) - a growth of three per cent over the corresponding period when the company had sold 60,75,583 (April 1, 2012 – March 2013).

Riding on robust market demand for its products, Hero MotoCorp capped off the financial year 2014 with 5,24,028 units in March’14. This is a growth of 11.9% over the corresponding month in 2013 when the company had sold 468,283 units.

Commenting on the sales performance, Mr. Anil Dua, Sr. Vice-President (Marketing & Sales), Hero MotoCorp said, “Our strong sales performance in FY’14 is reflective of our new strategic approach that focuses on bringing revolutionary and game-changing technologies. Our retail growth at seven per cent during FY’14 reiterates the confidence and trust that customers have in our products. This kind of retail growth has significantly given us the necessary momentum for the new financial year.”

“FY’15 will be loaded with a slew of new launches, including many of the new products that we showcased at the recently concluded Auto Expo. These launches will be backed by strong marketing campaigns and continued market expansion. We are gearing up for increased market demand for our products with the commissioning of the Neemrana plant in this financial year.”

2.) Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India

Honda has shown an incredible growth, it has gained the best ever overall growth of 55% wherein scooter segment has an increase of 53% and motorcycle one has 57% increment. The total units sold by the company in March 2014 are 392,148. On the last day of the year 2014, being an occasion of Gudi Padwa, the noted retail sales by the company is 55,000 units. The company is now able to cater the market share of 28% (for the domestic market). While, the domestic plus exports share by the company over the market is 26%. The domestic market share of the company has taken an astonishing jump of 6% to 28% in March, 2014.

Speaking on the growth, Mr. Keita Muramatsu – President & CEO, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd. said, “We would like to thank our customers, business partners for their continued trust and confidence in Brand Honda and Wing mark. In difficult scenario, the Indian 2Wheeler industry could grow only because of Honda’s stellar growth. Now, as Only Honda in India, HMSI is committed to continue realizing ‘The Power of Dreams’ of Million Indians in future too.”

3.) Bajaj Auto Limited

Bajaj Auto Limited's sales shows a lack, as the company has 1 percent of hike in the sales of March'14. Bajaj sold 2,70,591 units in March'14 which is more than 2,67,037 units sold in March'13. Although, this year the company has shown a significant growth in the export sector. Still the company needs to take some initiatives to get back on the track and to generate a sustainable sales record. The company sold 37,57,105 units of motorcycles in the time period of Apr-Mar 2013 that decreased to 34,22,416 units in the current fiscal year.

4.) TVS Motors

TVS Motors has registered a total two wheeler sales increase of 16% from 162,507 units recorded in March 2013 to 188,822 units in March 2014. Domestic two wheeler sales registered a growth of 16% increasing from 143,239 units in March 2013 to 165,482 units in March 2014.

Scooters sales grew by 63% increasing from 29,261 units in March 2013 to 47,766 units in March 2014. Motorcycles sales grew by 10% increasing from 61,808 units in the month of March 2013 to 68,158 units in March 2014.

5.) Yamaha Motors

As compared to the March 2013, Yamaha Motor India Sales Pvt. Ltd. has registered a growth of 29% in domestic sales during March 2014. Along with its innovative efforts, ongoing customer-centric activities, exciting product line-up with addition like ‘Alpha’, the company is able to carry on the trend of getting better and bigger with time.

The company has sold 46,052 units in March 2014 as against 35,782 units sold in March 2013 in the domestic market thereby registering a domestic sales growth of 29%. In the Export markets the company has sold 15,187 units in March 2014 as compared to 14,691 units sold in the same period last year achieving a growth of 3.4%. The overall sales concluded to be 61,239 units in March 2014 while 50,473 units were sold in March 2013, thereby registering a 21.3% overall growth.

6.) Suzuki Motorcycle India Limited

Suzuki Motorcycle India Ltd. registered a 19% increase in their March 2014 sales figures as compared to March 2013. Suzuki Motorcycle sold 30,594 units in March 2014 as compared to 25,717 units of last year, recording a fine growth in its overall sales. Suzuki Motorcycles have a consistent growth over the last couple of years.

Speaking on this strong growth pattern, Mr. Atul Gupta, Executive Vice President, SMIL, said “We have received a good response from the market for all our products. The growing customer satisfaction has led to positive word-of-mouth in the market. Building on the existing goodwill in the market, we expect that the 4 products launched at the Auto Expo – Gixxer, Let’s, V Strom and Inazuma will also show good performance in the upcoming fiscal. We will continue to give the best to our customers.”

7.) Mahindra Two Wheelers Ltd. (MTWL)

Mahindra two-wheelers reported a volume growth of 152% during March 2014 over the previous year by selling 19,591 units during the month. Domestic volume stood at 18,953 units, that makes a growth of 165% over the last fiscal year.

The company’s cumulative sales from April 2013 to March 2014 grew at 92%. Commenting on this performance, Mr. Viren Popli, Chief of Operations, Mahindra Two Wheelers said, “In 2014 we have doubled our volume backed by the successful launch of the innovative Mahindra Centuro. We are glad that Centuro continues to receive an unprecedented consumer demand. We have extended our product range with the introduction of the new Mahindra Centuro N1 that is helping us reach new demographic segments. Our sales & distribution network is also rapidly expanding across the country.”

He added, “We have won several prestigious awards that reflect growing confidence in our technological innovations, a clear validation of the Centuro’s success by leading auto experts.”