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February turned out to be another good month for automakers with car and two-wheeler companies poised to end the fiscal on a high note.
Reflecting the sentiment, shares of Maruti Suzuki, Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra, Hero Honda and Bajaj Auto surged on Tuesday.
Maruti Suzuki reported sales of 1,11,645 vehicles in February, a 15.6 per cent jump from 96,650 units sold in the same period last year. Exports for this year totalled 10,102 units.
The compact car portfolio comprising the Alto, Wagon R, Swift, Ritz and A Star grew 19.4 per cent to 72,090 (60,380) units even while the old warhorse, the 800, slumped 14.7 per cent to 2,712 (3,178) units.
In the larger product category, the SX4 and Dzire were up 27 per cent to 13,024 (10,254) units. Likewise, the Eeco, Omni and Versa also grew by 27 per cent to post sales of 13,636 (10,668) units.
Hyundai Motor India saw its February sales fall 4.8 per cent to 52,007 (54,610) units thanks largely to its exports which were down by 17.9 per cent to 19,378 (23,609) units. Volumes in the local market, however, made up with a 5.3 per cent increase to 32,629 (31,001) units.
The company is betting big on growing the business of its i10 and i20 models while gearing up to launch a new Verna and the 800cc HA during 2011-12.
Tata Motors car sales totalled 33,751 units of which its ally, Fiat's models accounted for 1,842 cars. This was 15 per cent higher than 29,238 units reported in February last year. The highlight this time around was the Nano whose numbers doubled to 8,262 units.
Sources say this augurs well for the following fiscal especially with a diesel version scheduled to be launched. However, the poor showing of the Fiat range has thrown up questions on the viability of the joint retail strategy.
Sales of Mahindra & Mahindra's passenger vehicle segment (comprising utility vehicles and the Logan sedan) grew 16 per cent to 15,439 (13,350) units.
“All our brands have being doing well with the Logan having clocked 1,151 units,” said Mr Rajesh Jejurikar, Chief Executive, Automotive Division. Other carmakers also had cause for cheer in February.
Ford reported sales of 9,293 (3,233) units, thanks largely to the Figo, and announced its plans to launch the new Fiesta soon. Toyota Kirloskar's sales totalled 9,308 (5,993) units, of which the Etios sedan accounted for 2,786 units.
Volkswagen sold 7,077 cars with the Polo and Vento taking up the lion's share with 6,850 units while Nissan reported sales of 2,030 units of the Micra and 2,081 units in all.
In the two-wheeler space, Hero Honda sold 4,72,055 bikes and scooters, a growth of 23 per cent over 3,82,096 units sold in February 2010. The company is poised to cross the five million mark in sales this fiscal.
TVS Motor followed with sales of 1,73,200 (1,40,544) units, a growth of 23 per cent.
Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India posted sales of 1,45,819 (1,22,261) motorcycles and scooters, up 19 per cent. Yamaha's sales grew 28.3 per cent to 33,046 (25,764) bikes. Bajaj Auto's numbers will be released on Wednesday.
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