Zero domestic sales for auto majors; Bajaj Auto, Hyundai largest exporters in April 2020

As was expected, the Indian automobile manufacturers recorded zero sales in the domestic market, while a few managed to record a handful of exports during the lockdown period of April 2020 as a result of the ongoing coronavirus or covid-19 pandemic. 

CLICK HERE TO READ REPORT: ZERO DARK APRIL 2020: INDIAN AUTO INDUSTRY STARING AT RS 92000 CRORE LOSS FOR 40-DAY LOCKDOWN

MARUTI SUZUKI: The country’s largest car maker, Maruti Suzuki India Ltd recorded zero sales in the domestic market, (including sales to OEM), in April 2020. This was because in compliance with the Government orders all production facilities were closed.  Meanwhile, following resumption of port operations, the first export shipment of 632 units was undertaken from the Mundra port, ensuring that all guidelines for safety were followed, the company stated in a press release.

HYUNDAI MOTOR: The country’s largest exporter of cars, Hyundai Motor India could only register exports sales of 1341 units in the month of April 2020, as domestic sales stood nil amid nationwide lockdown due to pandemic Covid-19.

TOYOTA KIRLOSKAR: Toyota Kirloskar Motor also scored a duck as it said in a statement that, “These are critical times and we were aware that there would be no wholesales in the month of April 2020...As with many other sectors, with the closure of dealerships and manufacturing the operation of the automotive value chain has come to a grinding halt.  Restart of the entire value chain cycle and its restoration will be gradual as the industry is faced with the challenges of low consumer sentiments, rebuilding of disrupted supply chains that need factors of productions to be restored that including return of workforce etc.”

MAHINDRA & MAHINDRA: Mahindra & Mahindra, makers of passenger vehicles and commercial vehicles, recorded zero sales for the month of April 2020 in the domestic segment.  Total exports stood at 733 units for the company.

*Above Domestic Sales includes sales made in subsidiary company Mahindra Electric Mobility Ltd

 MG MOTOR INDIA: MG Motor India recorded zero retail sales for the month of April 2020, as its showrooms were closed due to nationwide lockdown. The carmaker, which began operations and manufacturing on a small scale at its facility in Halol in the last week of April 2020, hopes that the production will ramp-up in the month of May and is working on the local supply-chain support.

The company stated that it is gearing up for working as per new norms including sanitization and social distancing. In the current scenario, its prime focus remains on health, well-being and training of its entire workforce including dealer employees, on new SOP.

HONDA MOTORCYCLE & SCOOTER INDIA: Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) closed April’20 with limited exports of 2,630 two-wheelers. Honda’s domestic sales in April’20 stood at Nil as all 4 of its production facilities suspended operations from 22nd March onward.

TVS MOTOR: During the month of April 2020, TVS Motor Company had zero sales in the domestic market. Following resumption of operations at Chennai Port, 8,134 units of two-wheelers, and 1,506 three-wheelers were shipped utilising the stocks from March 2020 while ensuring utmost safety.

 TVS Motor Company is gearing up to restart operations as per state guidelines and is undertaking strong measures to safeguard the health of the employees, the company stated in a press release.

BAJAJ AUTO: During the month of April 2020, despite domestic sales being zero, Bajaj Auto exported 32009 units of two wheelers and 5869 units of commercial vehicles. Thus, the company exported a total of 37878 units of two wheelers and commercial vehicles during the lockdown period of April 2020.