Auto sector bounces back in July; Maruti, Tata, Hyundai post record sales

The auto sector seems to have bounced back from the gloomy days of the Covid pandemic, coupled with chip shortage issues, with all major companies posting record sales in July 2022. Maruti Suzuki India, the country's largest passenger vehicle maker, sold 1,42,850 domestic PV units in July 2022 as compared to 1,33,732 cars sold during the same period last month, a growth of 6.8%. Despite a rise in sales, Maruti Suzuki says the shortage of electronic components had a "minor impact" on the production of vehicles, mainly domestic models.

In total, Maruti Suzuki clocked total sales of 1,75,916 units in July 2022, which include domestic sales of 1,45,666 units, sales to other emerging markets of 9,939 units and exports of 20,311 units.

Maruti Suzuki sold 20,333 units of mini models -- Alto, S-Presso -- in July 2022 as compared to 19,685 units sold in July 2021. The company sold 1,379 units of Ciaz, which comes in the mini+compact segment. As many as 23,272 models were sold of Brezza, Ertiga, S-Cross, and XL6, while 13,048 of Eeco van.

Maruti exported 20,211 units in July, up from 21,224 cars exported in the same period last year. In the financial year (April-July) so far, Maruti has sold 5,12,004 units, 19.9% up from 4,26,794 units sold during the same period last year.

Tata Motors

India's second biggest PV maker, Tata Motors Ltd, on the other hand, recorded a 52% rise in sales at 78,978 units as compared to 51,981 units sold in the same period last year.

Tata Motor's domestic and international sales in July 2022 rose 51.1% to 81,790 vehicles, compared to 54,119 units during July 2021. In the PV category, Tata sold 47,505 units in July 2022, which is 57% up from 30,185 units sold in July 2021.

In the commercial vehicle category, Tata sold 44% more vehicles at 31,473 units in July 2022. The company exported 2,681 units, a 31% rise from 2,052 units shipped during the same period last year. These sales also include numbers from Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd, a subsidiary of Tata Motors.

Hyundai Motor India

The country's third biggest PV maker Hyundai Motor India Ltd. registered domestic sales of 50,500 units and export sales of 13,351 units, with total July 2022 sales at 63,851 units.

While overall, the sales grew 6% YoY, including 5.1% growth in domestic sales and 9.4% growth in exports.

Hyundai says as the semi-conductor situation improves, the PV segment is showing positive trends riding on the green shoots of pent-up demand and customer desire for personal mobility.

Mahindra & Mahindra

Auto giant Mahindra & Mahindra's overall auto sales rose 34% to 56,148 vehicles in July 2022. In the most popular utility vehicles segment, Mahindra sold 27,854 vehicles in July 2022, up 34%, while the total PV sales -- including UVs, cars and vans -- grew 33% to 28,053 in the month.

In the year so far, M&M has sold 1,04,363 PV units, a growth of 62% YoY. M&M exported 32% more vehicles in July 2022 on a YoY basis at 2,798 units.

Toyota Kirloskar Motor

Toyota Kirloskar Motor says it sold 19,693 units in July 2022, 50% growth on a YoY basis, which is the company’s highest ever wholesaler in a single month since its inception in India. TKM had sold 13,105 units in July 2021.

In July, Toyota also unveiled its first self-charging strong hybrid electric vehicle -- the Urban Cruiser Hyryder. Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. has unveiled the new Grand Vitara, which is a sibling of the Toyota Cruiser Hyryder. This is part of an alliance between the two companies, under which both companies sell each other's cars with different names in countries, including India.

Kia India

Kia India recorded monthly domestic sales of 22,022 units in July 2022, registering a 46.66% Y-0-Y growth over the corresponding month last year. Kia Seltos and Sonet, with 8,451 and 7,215 units, respectively, led the sales momentum. In the first 7 months of CY22, Kia India has dispatched 1,43,845 units in the domestic market, with the Seltos and Sonet contributing the majority to its CY22 sales.

MG Motor India

Chinese automaker MG Motor India's retail sales stood at 4,013 units in July 2022. The company says the company’s production continues to be affected by supply-chain constraints, it's working towards boosting supplies.