Data released by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) show a modest uptick in Year-over-Year (YoY) exports in the passenger vehicle (PV) segment despite a slight slump in domestic sales volumes. 

The category representing passenger vehicles, utility vehicles and vans cumulatively recorded 61,929 units being exported in July 2024 compared to 59,594 units in July 2023. Domestic sales volume, however, stood at 2,96,785 units in 2024 compared to 3,02,727 units a year earlier. 

Nonetheless, the production volumes within the PV segment witnessed a YoY uptick with 3,97,854 units manufactured in July 2024 compared to 3,93,094 units a year ago.

Maruti Suzuki India clinched top place for exports in utility vehicles and van while Hyundai Motor India was the frontrunner in the passenger car segment in July 2024. 

Hyundai Motor India exported 12, 297 units (passenger cars) while Maruti Suzuki India shipped off 13,694 units (utility vehicles) and 651 units (vans), respectively. The latter also cliched the second place in passenger car exports with 9,551 units. 

This trend saw a flip in domestic sales with Maruti Suzuki clinching top spot. It sold 69,245 units (passenger car) during July 2024 compared to 16,037 units of Hyundai Motor India. In the utility vehicle and van category Maruti Suzuki sold 56,302 and 11,916 units compared to 16,037 units of Hyundai Motor India. 

India’s three-wheeler market showcased mixed growth in July 2024, as highlighted by SIAM’s latest report. Overall production rose to 90,505 units, marking a 6.1 percent increase compared to July 2023. Bajaj Auto Ltd. led the segment, with production growing by 18 percent to 56,085 units, driven by robust domestic sales of 37,852 units and steady exports.

Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. saw a notable shift in its passenger carrier segment, with a production decline to 1,384 units in July 2024 from 3,275 units a year earlier. However, the company’s e-rickshaw segment gained momentum, producing 1,606 units, a 19 percent dip from 2023, but still showing resilience.

In goods carriers, production across manufacturers slightly dipped to 8,721 units, down from 9,654 in July 2023, despite Bajaj Auto’s growth in this subsegment. 

The two-wheeler industry displayed robust growth in July 2024. The sector’s production soared by 21 percent YoY, reaching 19,48,223 units, compared to 16,08,414 units in July 2023. This growth was led by the scooter segment, which surged 41.2 percent to 6,54,748 units. Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India and TVS Motor Company were the primary drivers, reflecting strong demand across urban and semi-urban markets.

The motorcycle segment also recorded healthy growth, with production increasing by 12.8 percent to 12,49,903 units. Bajaj Auto Ltd and Hero MotoCorp Ltd maintained their leadership positions, contributing significantly to this expansion. TVS Motor Company Ltd further solidified its presence, with gains across scooters, motorcycles, and mopeds. Notably, mopeds saw a 19 percent rise in production to 43,572 units, highlighting their continued relevance in certain markets.

Domestic sales remained strong, with the two-wheeler market clocking 14,41,694 units, up from 12,82,054 units in July 2023. Scooters and motorcycles were the top performers, with domestic sales of 5,53,642 units and 8,50,489 units, respectively. 

On the export front, the sector experienced a 7.8 percent rise, reaching 3,24,908 units. Yamaha Motor India and TVS Motor Company led this growth, showcasing the increasing global appeal of Indian two-wheelers.

Overall, the two-wheeler industry continues to thrive, driven by strong domestic demand and a solid export performance, reinforcing its critical role in India’s automotive landscape.

Commenting on July-2024 performance, SIAM Director General Rajesh Menon said, “In July 2024, passenger vehicle segment de-grew by (-)2.5 percent compared to July 2023, posting a sales of about 3.42 lakh units. Three-wheelers posted a growth of 5.1 percent compared to July last year, with sales of 0.59 Lakh units in July 2024, which is close to the peak of 2018-19. Two-wheeler segment also posted a decent growth of 12.5 percent in July 2024 as compared to July 2023, with sales of 14.42 Lakh units”.

Commenting on sales data of July 2024, SIAM President Vinod Aggarwal said, “Though three-wheeler and two-wheeler segments are performing well, there has been some de-growth of passenger vehicles and commercial vehicles in July 2024, compared to July 2023. The above average rainfall coupled with upcoming festive season is likely to again propel growth in the short term. In addition, enabling budget announcements which emphasises on overall economic growth with fiscal support for infrastructure and rural sector should augur well for the automobile sector in the medium term.”

Photo: Prateek Karandikar (Wikimedia Commons)

Celebrating 130 years of automotive legacy globally and marking a presence in the Indian market for the last 25 years, Skoda Auto India has launched the ‘Skoda Superstars' campaign that underlines celebration of passion, persistence and people. 
It aims at those who dare to dream and work relentlessly with actor Ranveer Singh as the anchor. A film featuring Singh along with iconic cars of the brand through the ages – as a key part of the campaign – highlights the resilience of Skoda’s iconic founders, Laurin and Klement. It also focuses on modern-day heroes from all walks of life, leaving viewers with a compelling call to action – to ‘celebrate your journey’.
Petr Janeba, Brand Director, Skoda Auto India, spoke about the campaign: “The ‘Skoda Superstars’ campaign is not just a tribute, it’s a movement. It’s our way of honouring the spirit of determination and drive that has defined Skoda Auto since 1895 and continues to thrive in the people around us today. As we celebrate 130 years globally and 25 years in India, we want to go beyond just showcasing our cars. We want to celebrate the human stories that mirror our own journey, from vision and grit to achievement. Through this campaign, we’re inviting every individual to share their personal triumphs and become a part of the Skoda legacy. Because in the end, it’s not just about where you come from, but how far your passion and work ethic can take you.”
As part of the campaign, Skoda Auto India is inviting fans to participate in a unique contest by sharing their stories of dreams turned into achievements. By uploading a personal photo that reflects their journey, users can generate a special double-exposure image featuring themselves and a Skoda car, symbolising how their personal milestones intersect with the brand’s enduring legacy.
 

Hyundai Motor India has announced that its made-in-India i10 hatchback brand has attained a new sales milestone of surpassing 3 million units (3.3 million).

This includes 2 million unit sales in India and 1.3 million units exported to over 140 countries, which include South Africa, Mexico, Chile and Peru among others.

Unsoo Kim, Managing Director, Hyundai Motor India, said, “We are proud of the landmark achievement of surpassing 3 million cumulative sales of HMIL’s brand i10. With over 2 million units sold in India and over 1.3 million units exported to global markets, brand i10 stands as a shining example of HMIL’s commitment to delivering world-class products. What makes this milestone even more special is the fact that the current generation of i10 has achieved up to 91.3 percent localisation for the domestic market, while it is 91.4 percent for the export models. This success reflects the trust of our customers, the strength of Indian manufacturing, and HMIL’s dedication to creating smart mobility solutions for the world. With our upcoming plant in Maharashtra, we intend to expand exports to emerging as well as developed markets, increasing contribution of exports to overall sales and solidifying our commitment to Make in India, For the World.”

Introduced in India in 2007 the i10 brand in its 18th year, has evolved across three generations i10, Grand i10 and Grand i10 NIOS. The company offers the i10 in three powertrain options – 1.2 L Kappa Petrol Manual, 1.2 L Kappa Petrol AMT and 1.2 L Bi-Fuel Kappa Petrol with CNG. The Korean automaker shared that on an average the i10 has clocked over 100,000 units annually in the country.

Interestingly, in FY 2024-25, over 45 percent of Hyundai Grand i10 NIOS customers were first time car buyers, with Gujarat, Maharashtra and Haryana, among the top three markets.

South Korean automotive major Kia India has attained a new milestone of rolling out its 1.5 millionth vehicle – Carens SUV – from its Anantapur facility in Andhra Pradesh. What’s more, the company also announced that it will launch the newest iteration of Kia Carens SUV on 8 May, which it said will be loaded with tech and safety features.

Gwanggu Lee, MD and CEO, Kia India, said, “Rolling out our 1.5 millionth 'Make in India' vehicle is a proud and emotional moment for Kia India and every partner who has been a part of this journey. From the very first Seltos to the 1.5 millionth Carens today, each car stands as a testament to the trust, love, and support of our customers and partners. We are deeply grateful for this association and look forward to continuing our pursuit of automotive excellence. The future of Kia India looks bright as we remain steadfast in driving innovation, offering industry-leading products, and shaping the mobility landscape in India.”

Interestingly, the Anantapur facility has so far manufactured over 700,668 units (46.7 percent) of Seltos, followed by 519,064 units (34.6 percent) of the Sonet, 241,582 units (16.1 percent) of the Carens, 23,036 units (1.5 percent) of the Syros and 16,172 units (1.1 percent) of the Carnival.

Maruti Suzuki India, the country's largest car maker, has announced its financial results for FY2025.

The company, with sales of 2.23 million vehicles, clocked revenue of INR 1,451 billion in FY2025, up 7.5 percent YoY, as against INR 1,349 billion for the same period last year.

The net profit came at INR 139 billion, up 5.6 percent YoY, as against INR 132 billion last year.

During the year, the company recorded its highest-ever annual sales and exports. What’s more, Maruti Suzuki India continued to be the top exporter for the fourth consecutive year with a share of 43 percent of total passenger vehicle exports from the country.