Auto cos face April heat; Toyota, Hyundai sales decline

Toyota Kirloskar Motor has reported a 20.35 per cent decline in total sales at 8,328 units in April 2014.  The company had sold 10,456 units in the corresponding month of previous year, Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) said in a statement. In the domestic market, TKM sold 7,562 units in April 2014, down 16.04 per cent as compared to 9,007 units in April 2013.

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During the month, the company exported 766 units of Etios. Commenting on the sales performance, N Raja, Senior Vice President (Sales and Marketing), said, "We resumed normal production on April 22 and were carrying out limited operations until then".  

"We thank our customers for their support and understanding during this difficult time. It is our endeavour to make the deliveries of vehicles on a timely basis," he added. 

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Hyundai Motor India Ltd (HMIL) has reported 11.81 per cent decline in total sales at 50,222 units in April 2014.  

It had sold 56,953 units in the same month last year. In the domestic market, Hyundai sold 35,248 units last month, as compared to 32,403 units in April 2013, up 8.78 per cent, the company said in a statement. 

During the month, Hyundai's exports declined 39 per cent to 14,974 units as against 24,550 units in the same month last year.

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Commenting on the sales performance, HMIL Senior Vice-President (Sales and Marketing) Rakesh Srivastava said the domestic volume growth is in line with this year's objective of growth in volume and market share.  

"Growth is led by sedan and utility vehicles across geographies, with new products Xcent, Grand and Santa Fe, adding volumes with an overwhelming response from customers," he added.            

On the outlook, Srivastava said: "We foresee to maintain the positive momentum in this year by strengthening product portfolio and improving channel efficiencies." 

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General Motors India has also reported 35.30 per cent decline in April sales at 5,302 units from 8,196 units sold in the corresponding month of previous year.

April 2014 sales include 1,828 units of Beat, 1,267 units of Tavera and 939 units of Chevrolet Enjoy, the company said in a statement.  

"Customer sentiment continues to remain negative even with price reduction on account of excise duty cut and other market promotion schemes," General Motors India Vice President, P Balendran said.

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Going by the market scenario, the company expects the challenging times to continue as the general economic conditions continue to remain depressed, he added.  

"The buoyancy in the market is completely missing and we don't see any upturn before the new government assumes office," Balendran said.

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Maruti Suzuki India, the country's largest carmaker, on Thursday, reported 11.4 per cent decline in total sales in April to 86,196 units, against 97,302 units in the same month last year.

The company said its domestic sales declined by 12.6 per cent during the month to 79,119 units as against 90,523 units in April 2013.

Sales of mini segment cars, including M 800, Alto, A-Star and Wagon R, declined 25.4 per cent to 26,043 units as against 34,927 units in the year-ago month, MSI said in a statement.

The company said sales of the compact segment, comprising Swift, Estilo, Ritz, rose 9.9 per cent to 23,659 units in April this year as against 21,535 units last year.

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MSI said sales of its popular compact sedan Dzire declined 17.7 per cent during the month under review to 16,008 units as against 19,446 units in April 2013.

Mid-sized sedan SX4 registered a decline of 87.4 per cent to 76 units as against 601 units in the same month last year.

There was no sale of premium sedan Kizashi during the month.

Sales of utility vehicles, including Gypsy, Grand Vitara and Ertiga, declined 5.8 per cent to 5,011 units in April this year from 5,318 units in the corresponding month last year.

Sales of vans -- Omni and Eeco -- declined 4.3 per cent to 8,322 units in April this year from 8,696 units in the corresponding period.

Exports during the month rose 4.4 per cent to 7,077 units as compared to 6,779 units in April last year, MSI said.