The total number of automobiles produced from April 2018 to February 2019 stood at 2,87,35,269, a growth of 8.76 per cent over the April 2017 to February 2018 period, according to data from the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM). However, the number of passenger cars produced in the country declined by 0.38 per cent. For February 2019 alone, domestic sales of passenger cars registered a fall of 4.33 per cent. The total passenger vehicle sector saw a fall of 1.11 per cent (including utility vehicles and vans). Passenger vehicle exports also fell by 17.25 per cent for the month, as compared to last year.

The decline for February 2019 compared to February 2018 was not just confined to passenger vehicles. Domestic sales for two-wheelers fell by 4.22 per cent, three-wheelers declined by 4.14 per cent and commercial vehicles decreased by 8.77 per cent. Analysts believed that the upcoming elections could be a dampening factor affecting automobile sales.

Passenger car exports for 2018-19 also declined by a steep 12.21 per cent as compared to 2017-18. The total number exported in 2018-19 was 4,61,891, as opposed to 5,26,124 the previous year. However, goods carriers saw a healthy export increase of 31.28 per cent.

Three-wheelers also recorded healthy export figures, with both people carriers and goods carriers seeing an increase in exports by over 48 per cent. Domestic sales for passenger cars increased by 2.91 per cent, with total sales for 2018-19 pegged at over 20 lakh cars.

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