Nil: Local sales shown by auto companies in April

New Delhi: Indian automakers reported zero sales in the local market in April with factories and dealerships shut in compliance with government orders to check the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.The country’s largest carmaker Maruti Suzuki (MSIL) did not sell a single unit in the domestic market, including sales to OEM (original equipment manufacturers), in April 2020. “This was because in compliance with the government orders all production facilities were closed,” the company said in a filing to the BSE. Maruti Suzuki had sold 1,31,385 passenger vehicles in the domestic market in April 2019.“Domestic sales stood at nil amid nationwide lockdown due to pandemic Covid-19,” said Hyundai Motor India. The company had sold 42,005 units in April 2019. Automakers in the country report wholesale dispatches from factories and not retail sales made to customers.Maruti Suzuki did receive permission from the Gurugram administration to restart production at its facility in Manesar on a single-shift basis late last month, but chairman RC Bhargava said operations will resume only when it can be done in a sustainable manner.Veejay Nakra, chief executive officer, automotive division, Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) said, “At Mahindra, we are working hand-in-hand with all stakeholders, especially our dealer and supplier partners, to get our ecosystem started, once the lockdown is lifted.” Mahindra is hopeful that the company’s dealerships will open soon and has stocks to cover the first few weeks of sale. Mahindra sold zero units last month compared to sales of 19,966 units registered in the year-ago period. Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM), too, posted zero sales last month as against 10,112 units sold last April. “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 and rebuilding of disrupted supply chains,” said Naveen Soni, senior vice-president (sales & services) at TKM. MG Motor India, which reports only retail sales figures, also recorded zero sales .Meanwhile, following the resumption of port operations, Maruti Suzuki said the first export shipment of 632 vehicles was undertaken from the Mundra port. Hyundai exported 1,341 vehicles and Mahindra 733 in April.

from Economic Times https://ift.tt/2SryayK