Automobile dealers’ body Federation of Automobile Dealers Association (FADA) has announced that the automobile retail sales in India surged by 37 per cent in April on a low base of COVID-hit April last year. 

FADA said in a statement that the total sales across categories rose to 16,27,975 units in April, as compared to 11,87,771 units in the same month a year ago. 

On a year-on-year basis, all vehicle categories including passenger vehicles and two-wheelers were up as compared with April last year. 

The passenger vehicles registrations stood at 2,64,342 units last month, an increase of 25 per cent from 2,10,682 units in April last year. 

Similarly, two-wheeler sales were at 11,94,520 units, up 38 per cent from the year-ago period. Commercial vehicle retail sales stood at 78,398 units in April, up 52 per cent from 51,515 units in April 2021. 

Three-wheeler sales rose 96 per cent, while tractor registrations were up 26 per cent as compared with April last year. 

Vinkesh Gulati, FADA President, said, “While Y-o-Y comparison with April 2021 shows all categories in green with high growth rate, it is important to note that both April 2021 and April 2020 were affected by nation-wide lockdown due to phase one and two of the COVID wave, which witnessed no-to-negligible business. April 2022 when compared with April 2019, reveals that we are still not out of the woods as overall retails were down by 6 per cent.” 

Vinkesh Gulati, President, FADA, said, “The month of April saw similar Auto Retail figures as of March 2022. While YoY comparison with April 2021 shows all categories in green with a high growth rate, it is important to note that both April 2021 and April 2020 were affected by nationwide lockdown due to phase 1 and 2 of the Covid wave which witnessed no to negligible business. Hence a better comparison will be with April 2019 which was a normal pre-covid month. April 2022 when compared with April 2019 reveals that we are still not out of the woods as overall retails were down by -6 per cent. Apart from PV and Tractors which grew handsomely by 12 per cent and 30 per cent, 2W, 3W and CV are yet to turn green as these categories were down by -11 per cent, -13 per cent and -0.5 per cent respectively.” 

He pointed out that with the Russia-Ukraine war continuing and China under lockdown, the global auto industry continues to witness supply crunch as semi-conductor shortage along with high metal prices and container shortage prevails. Customers f PV segment hence continues to witness long waiting period. 

FADA also said that the 2W segment which has witnessed slight increase in sales when compared to last month is extremely sensitive to price hikes and continues to remain below pre-covid levels. It is a clear sign that Bharat has not been keeping up with India. Apart from rural distress, multiple price hikes coupled with high fuel prices are keeping price sensitive entry level 2W customers away. 

Gulati added, “The CV segment after a long downturn which began post the announcement of axle load norms in 2018 is now witnessing demand recovery as all sub-categories continue to inch north. Government’s push for infra spending further aids sale.” 

Regarding the near-term outlook for the sector, he said, “The Russia-Ukraine war and China lockdown will continue to create demand-supply mis-match thus delaying the availability of PVs. This coupled with RBIs out of turn announcement of increasing repo-rate by 45 bps has taken everyone off-guard. The move will curb excess liquidity in the system and will make auto loans expensive. While PV segment may be able to absorb this shock due to long waiting periods, 2W segment is already reeling due to underperforming rural market, vehicle price hikes and high fuel costs. High-interest rates for vehicle loan will be an additional blow for this segment. Certainly, this move will slow the speed of auto retail and dampen the sentiments further.” (MT)   

Mumbai-based automotive major Mahindra & Mahindra has announced its wholesales for April 2025 at 84,170 vehicles, a growth of 19 percent, including exports.

The auto major sold a total of 52,330 SUVs in the domestic market, which was 28 percent higher than 41,008 SUVs sold for the same period last year. Commercial vehicle sales in the domestic market came at 22,989 units, which was 4 percent YoY. 

Veejay Nakra, President, Automotive Division, Mahindra & Mahindra, said, “Building on the strong momentum of last year's performance, we began the year on a strong note in April by achieving SUV sales of 52,330 units, a growth of 28 percent and total vehicle sales of 84,170 units, a 19 percent growth over the same month last year. These numbers indicate the strength of our portfolio and customer offerings.”

JSW MG Motor India, a leading passenger vehicles manufacturer, has announced its wholesales for April 2025.

The company reported sales of 5,829 units, which was 23 percent higher over April 2024, when it sold 4,725 vehicles.

Interestingly, the automaker's popular offering, the Windsor EV, has continued to be the top-selling electric passenger vehicle for the seventh month in a row.

JSW MG Motor India's Windsor EV has now gone home to over 20,000 customers.

Maruti Suzuki India, the country’s largest carmaker, has reported its wholesales of 179,791 units in April 2025, marking a 7 percent increase compared to 168,089 units sold in April 2024. The growth was primarily propelled by strong performance in utility vehicles and a sharp rise in export volumes.

Domestic sales, including passenger and light commercial vehicles, remained flat with 142,053 units, as compared to 140,448 units in April 2024. Within this, light commercial vehicles (LCVs) like the Super Carry saw a significant jump of 34.2 percent, with sales rising to 3,349 units from 2,496 units last year.

In the passenger vehicle segment, SUVs such as the Brezza, Ertiga, Grand Vitara and others recorded a 4.4 percent increase, selling 59,022 units compared to 56,553 in the previous year. However, sales for Eeco declined by 5.2 percent, while the mini segment (Alto, S-Presso) saw a sharp 45 percent drop, falling to 6,332 units from 11,519 units. The compact segment, which includes high-volume models like the Baleno and Swift, grew by 8.1 percent, reaching 61,591 units.

Sales to Toyota Kirloskar Motor rose sharply by 79.2 percent, from 5,481 units to 9,827 units, indicating a growing demand for cross-badged products.

The standout performer was the export segment, which surged 26 percent to 27,911 units from 22,160 units in April 2024. This strong export growth helped bolster the company’s overall numbers despite weaknesses in domestic sub-segments.

While some product lines such as the mid-size sedan Ciaz (-63 percent) continue to struggle.

Tata Motors reported total wholesales of 72,753 units for April 2025, reflecting a 6 percent year-on-year decline from 77,521 units in April 2024.

The passenger vehicle (PV) segment, including electric vehicles, accounted for 45,532 units, down 5 percent from 47,983 units in the same month last year. Within this, domestic PV sales dropped 6 percent to 45,199 units, while international business (IB) sales rose significantly to 333 units, up from 100 units. Electric vehicle sales (domestic + IB) declined 16 percent year-on-year to 5,318 units.

Commercial vehicle (CV) sales stood at 27,221 units, marking an 8 percent YoY drop from 29,538 units in April 2024. Domestic CV sales contracted 10 percent to 25,764 units, while CV exports (IB) grew 43 percent to 1,457 units. Key sub-segments like Small Commercial Vehicles (SCV) and pickups saw a steep 23 percent decline.

Despite growth in certain categories like ILMCV trucks and passenger carriers, overall sales momentum was tempered across both PV and CV segments.