The automotive retail sales in India is back in the green, and for October 2024, the convergence of Navratri and Diwali has helped register robust growth across segments.

According to the latest data released by the Federation of Automobile Dealers Association (FADA), a total of 2.8 million vehicles were registered last month, up 32.14 percent YoY, compared to 2.14 million vehicles sold last year.

This included 2 million two-wheelers (+36.34 percent YoY); 122,846 three-wheelers (+11.45 percent YoY); 483,159 passenger vehicles (+32.38 percent YoY); 64,433 tractors (+3.08 percent YoY) and 97,411 commercial vehicles (+6.37 percent YoY).

C S Vigneshwar, President, FADA stated that festivities traditionally account for 30–35 percent of total annual auto sales. The industry was keenly observing how October would unfold.

He said, “With dealers entering this crucial period fully committed and carrying all-time high inventory levels, the month did not disappoint!”

FADA shared that the rural market once again played a leading role in driving growth, particularly in the two-wheeler and passenger vehicle segments. Additionally, the Government of India's announcement of an increase in the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for Rabi crops further boosted market sentiments.

The two-wheeler sales were driven by festive schemes, discounts along with new model launches that drove consumer interest. The dealers were able to support the demand on the back of better stock availability and suppliers from OEMs.

In the passenger vehicle segment too, aggressive offers, attractive schemes and new model introductions further stimulated demand.

“Enhanced vehicle availability and strong market interest, especially for SUVs and new products, also contributed to the exceptional sales. However, despite strong sales, PV OEMs continue to heavily stock dealers, resulting in inventory levels decreasing by only five days, with overall inventory still at a high of 75–80 days. This may thus lead the season of substantial discounts to continue until the end of the calendar year,” cautioned Vigneshwar.

The commercial vehicle segment growth was driven by various factors such as supportive agricultural markets and bulk purchases, particularly for container movements.

FADA states that however dealers faced challenges such as slow demand, sluggish construction activities, financial issues among customers and increased vehicle prices leading to higher EMIs.

“Overall, while there were areas of growth, the CV market faced headwinds that tempered its overall performance,” he shared.

Great Indian wedding

While the automotive industry has been seeing a mixed results in terms of retail demand, the expectation for the rest of the calendar year remains positive. An estimated 4.8 million weddings are scheduled across the country in November and December 2024. This is expected to bring an ‘unprecedented surge’ in demand for wedding-related goods and services.

For the automotive industry this could further amplify demand for two-wheelers and passenger vehicles. In the CV segment, while supportive agricultural markets and continued bulk purchases may contribute positively, dealers remain vigilant due to factors like sluggish construction activities, financial constraints among customers and an anticipated decrease in demand post-festivities.

But on the other hand, for the passenger vehicle segment, there are apprehensions about potential slowdowns caused by customers postponing purchases in anticipation of better year-end discounts. FADA also urges, PV OEMs to further rationalise supply.

The auto retail body states that while the industry is optimistic about near-term growth driven by the wedding season and favourable market conditions, dealers are mindful of potential challenges that could affect sales momentum as the year concludes.

‘The mixed sentiments reflected in the survey highlight the need for strategic planning and cautious optimism as the auto sector navigates the remaining months of the year,’ the note concluded.

Representational image courtesy: TomFlick/Pexels

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

European automaker Stellantis India has launched its Stellantis Brand House (SBH) dealership in Goa, operated by Caculo Motors. The 3S (Sales, Service, and Spares) facility was inaugurated by the Chief Minister of Goa, Dr Pramod Sawant, alongside Shailesh Hazela, Managing Director and CEO of Stellantis India.

The dual-brand retail format brings the Jeep and Citroen portfolios under one roof. The facility is designed as a ‘phygital’ ecosystem, integrating digital and physical touchpoints to manage customer engagement and transactions.

The Stellantis Brand House is spread across 4,000 square metres, a workshop featuring 10 bays equipped for routine and specialised maintenance. On-site spares and technical teams for both American and French automotive brands.

The facility aims to serve North and South Goa, targeting the lifestyle and youth-driven segments of the market. The Jeep brand focuses on off-road capability and adventure, while Citroen emphasises comfort and modular design.

Dr Pramod Sawant, Chief Minister of Goa, said, “Heartiest congratulations to the Caculo family on completing 100 remarkable years in the automobile industry. As a proud Goan family, they have played a pioneering role in bringing automobiles to Goa, with four generations dedicated to this business. From introducing international brands through Caculo Mall to creating employment for over 500 people, their contribution to both the automobile and service sectors has opened immense opportunities in the state.”

Shailesh Hazela, said, “Goa is an important and evolving market, with customers who value comfort, reliability, design, and capability. With this new Citroen SBH dealership, we are strengthening our commitment to Goa and ensuring that customers here have seamless access to our offerings—whether they seek the comfort-first approach of Citroen or the adventure DNA of Jeep. We are delighted to partner with the Caculo Group, whose legacy of trust and customer satisfaction aligns strongly with our own values.”

Manoj M Caculo, Chairman & Managing Director, Caculo Group, said, “For more than ten decades, the Caculo Group has remained committed to delivering quality and trust to customers across Goa. We are proud to partner with Stellantis to bring Citroën’s global expertise and customer-first philosophy to the state. This modern SBH facility reflects our dedication to offering world‑class automotive experiences to every customer who walks through our doors.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Kia India, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has announced that its new Seltos SUV has secured a five-star safety rating under the Bharat New Car Assessment Programme (BNCAP). The vehicle achieved a combined score of 76.70, the highest recorded for an internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle tested by the agency to date.

The assessment resulted in a score of 31.70 points for Adult Occupant Protection (AOP) and 45.00 points for Child Occupant Protection (COP). These figures represent the highest AOP score for an ICE vehicle under the BNCAP protocol.

The SUV is built on the K3 platform, which utilises reinforced hot-stamped components and high-strength steel. This architecture is engineered for crash energy management by absorbing and distributing impact forces during a collision.

The Seltos incorporates a range of active and passive safety technologies. Its Standard Safety Pack includes six airbags, Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Hill-start Assist Control (HAC) as standard across all variants.

It gets ADAS Level 2, which includes a suite of 21 autonomous features, including Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist and Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go. The Seltos SUV also features a 360-degree surround camera, Blind View Monitor and side parking sensors to improve situational awareness.

The BNCAP certificate was presented to Kia India by Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways. The Seltos is the second Kia model to achieve this rating, following the Kia Syros.

Gwanggu Lee, MD and CEO, Kia India, said, “Safety is an integral part of Kia’s product philosophy as we continue our journey towards becoming one of the most trusted mobility brands in India. The All-New Kia Seltos achieving a 5-star rating, along with the highest-ever Adult Occupant Protection score across ICE vehicles under BNCAP, across ICE vehicles under BNCAP, with one of the strongest Child Occupant Protection scores recorded to date, has emerged as the highest-scoring ICE vehicle overall under BNCAP. This is a strong validation of our engineering capabilities and intent where every aspect of the vehicle, from its structure to its advanced safety technologies, has been developed with occupant protection at its core, making it a strong choice as a family SUV. This milestone sets a new benchmark for safety and reflects our commitment to bringing globally benchmarked safety standards to customers in India.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Hyundai Motor India (HMIL), one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has announced that its new Venue and Venue N Line SUVs have received a 5-star safety rating from the Bharat New Car Assessment Programme (BNCAP). The rating applies to both adult and child occupant protection, with the vehicles scoring 31.147 in Adult Occupant Protection (AOP).

The Venue is built on the Global K1 enhanced platform. Its body structure utilises 71 percent high-strength steel, including ultra-high-strength and hot-stamped steel, to improve crash protection.

As standard, it gets 33 safety features across all variants, including six airbags, three-point seatbelts for all seats and Electronic Stability Control (ESC). The SUV is equipped with four-disc brakes, Hill-start Assist Control (HAC) and an electric parking brake with auto hold. It also gets a Surround View Monitor (SVM), a Blind View Monitor (BVM) and a Highline Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).

The models feature Hyundai SmartSense Level 2 ADAS, providing a suite of 21 intelligent features. This technology uses sensors and cameras to assist with collision avoidance, lane maintenance, and driver awareness.

The BNCAP certificate was presented by Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, to Tarun Garg, Managing Director & CEO of Hyundai Motor India. Since its launch, the new Venue has recorded over 100,000 bookings in the Indian market.

Nitin Gadkari, said, “Congratulations to Hyundai Motor India Limited on achieving 5‑Star Bharat NCAP safety rating for both adult and child occupant for their recently launched Hyundai Venue and Venue N Line. This achievement reflects Hyundai’s strong commitment to enhancing vehicle safety in line with Indian road conditions and evolving customer expectations, while making advanced safety technologies more accessible to a broader segment of the market.”

Tarun Garg, stated, “We are extremely proud that the all-new Hyundai Venue and Venue N Line have secured 5‑Star safety rating under Bharat NCAP testing, reaffirming our unwavering commitment to offer world‑class products to our customers. This achievement further strengthens our commitment to making advanced safety technologies accessible to a wider set of customers in India.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Automotive major Stellantis has announced the formation of the Europe Supplier Advisory Council, a forum intended to increase collaboration between the carmaker and its supply chain. The council brings together senior Stellantis leadership and 26 supplier partners representing various automotive technologies and commodities.

The council will convene for three sessions during 2026, with each meeting lasting 1.5 days. The initiative includes participation from major European supplier associations, ANFIA and FIEV, to provide a collective voice for the regional supply base.

The Council's primary functions include:

• Operational Efficiency: Identifying bottlenecks and improvement opportunities across the value chain.
• Strategic Workstreams: Establishing joint Stellantis-supplier groups focused on production planning, cost competitiveness and operational excellence.
• Innovation Readiness: Accelerating the deployment of new technologies and ensuring launch readiness for future vehicle programmes.
• Regulatory Alignment: Addressing European Union regulatory requirements and geopolitical instability.

The council is designed to modernise supplier partnerships amid technological shifts and market volatility. By co-leading workstreams, Stellantis and its partners aim to align performance expectations and enhance the resilience of the European manufacturing and R&D platforms.

Emanuele Cappellano, COO, Stellantis Europe, said, “The launch of the Europe Supplier Advisory Council represents an important milestone in our journey to strengthen the region’s industrial performance. Today, more than ever, our success depends on deep collaboration with our supplier partners. By creating a shared forum where we openly discuss challenges and opportunities, we are building the foundation for faster execution, stronger competitiveness, and sustainable growth across Europe.”

Stephane Dubs, SVP of Purchasing and Supplier Quality for Stellantis Europe, added, “Our suppliers are essential contributors to Stellantis’ transformation. This new Council allows us to work side-by-side, with transparency and respect, to co-create solutions that benefit both sides. Together, we will address the critical issues shaping our industry—whether in quality, launch readiness, cost competitiveness, innovation, or supply chain resilience—and turn them into strategic advantages for our entire ecosystem.”

Jean-Louis Pech, President, FIEV, commented, “FIEV welcomes the opportunity to join Stellantis Supplier Advisory Council, which represents a valuable opportunity to strengthen our relationship and enrich the dialogue with suppliers. This participation will enable us to represent, with ANFIA, the collective voice of suppliers and actively contribute to the Council’s work.”

Marco Stella, President, ANFIA Components Group and Vice-President of ANFIA, stated, “Now more than ever, it is essential to invest in a fruitful partnership between Stellantis and the supply chain ecosystem, caught between European market weakness, geopolitical instability and fierceful competition, also to face united and together EU regulatory challenges and support EU manufacturing and R&D platforms.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!