Hero MotoCorp, Honda, and Bajaj have registered good growth in September 2020, which is considerably better than the same month last year. TVS, however, is showing signs of a relatively slow recovery.
After a rather dismal first quarter, two-wheeler sales seem to be getting back on the path to recovery. Since the lockdown lifted in June, sales numbers have constantly been on the rise, and in September, some manufacturers also recorded a noticeable growth over the same month in 2019. One of the possible reasons for the quick recovery of the two-wheeler business is the need for a personal mobility solution during this time of the pandemic. Here’s a closer look at how the brands performed in September.
Hero MotoCorp
With sales of 7,15,728 units across the country in September, Hero MotoCorp has recorded a growth of nearly 17 per cent. In the same month last year, the company could only sell 6,12,204 units. September 2020 sales have shown considerable improvement over August too. The company sold only 5,68,674 units in August. In fact, the overall second quarter (July-September) has been quite a fruitful one for the brand, with a Year-on-Year growth of more than 7.3%. Year-to-date (April-September) numbers are still not as good as that of 2019. In all fairness, with the lockdown enforced in March and continuing almost until the end of May, the first two months of the fiscal barely brought any sales.
Honda
With sales of over half a million units (5,00,887) in September, Honda, too, has recorded a 10% growth in comparison to last year. The Japanese bikemaker had registered sales of 4,55,896 units in September 2019. Honda’s sales numbers have also grown considerably in comparison to August 2020 – up from 4,28,238 units.
Speaking about the increased demand, Yadvinder Singh Guleria, director, sales and marketing, HMSI, said, 'In September, Honda recorded a strong 75 per cent surge in test rides and a significant 20 per cent jump in enquiries on a month-on-month basis. While the sustained uptick in customer sentiments has boosted the confidence of our network on the ground, Honda will cautiously monitor inventory levels in the run-up to festivals.
Bajaj
Bajaj has recorded a substantial 24% increase in domestic sales in September 2020, with sales of 2,19,500 units. In the same month last year, the Chakan-based firm sold 1,77,348 units. Bajaj has managed to reflect some growth in the export market too – 1,85,351 units last month in comparison to 1,59,382 units in September 2019. Just like other manufacturers, the year-to-date numbers for Bajaj, too, show a considerable decline. The bikemaker has sold 7,36,175 units in the domestic market, starting 1st April until 30the September. In comparison, Bajaj had sold 11,32, 286 units in the same duration last year.
Suzuki
Suzuki managed to sell 71,661 units in September 2020. Out of these, 65,195 units were sold in the domestic market and the remaining 6,466 units were exported. This has resulted in a marginal growth, in the domestic market, of just under 3%, in comparison to the same month last year. In comparison to August 2020, though, Suzuki has managed to improve its numbers by 23.7%. Talking about the sales numbers, Koichiro Hirao, Managing Director, Suzuki Motorcycle India Pvt. Ltd. said, 'We have already witnessed an increased demand for our products that have been driven by signs of early festive kick-off with Onam and Ganesh Chaturthi. We are optimistic about the upcoming festive season, which is considered auspicious for new purchases.'
Royal Enfield
Despite having fewer products – with the 500cc range no longer on sale – Royal Enfield has recorded reasonable success in September 2020. The Chennai-based bikemaker sold 55,910 units last month in comparison to 54,858 units in September 2019, resulting in a growth of 2% in the domestic market. Export of RE vehicles has dropped considerably – from 4,642 units in Sept 2019 to 4,131 units last month. It must be noted, however, that last year Royal Enfield had 500cc iterations of the Bullet and the Classic on sale, both of which have been discontinued after the BS6 emission norms came into effect earlier this year.
TVS
Unlike other brands, TVS’ September 2020 results are quite bewildering. With a total of 3,27,692 units sold last month, TVS has definitely registered a hefty 14% growth over August 2020, including its three-wheeler business. But there are some numbers that may be a cause for concern for the company. The Hosur-based bikemaker sold 3,13,332 two-wheelers in September 2020 in comparison to 3,00,793 units in the same month last year. The company has, however, recorded degrowth in the domestic market, after having sold 2,41,792 units in September 2020 in comparison to 2,43,047 units the same in 2019. While TVS has been able to sell more motorcycles last month, their scooter sales are lower than what they were in September 2019.
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