April car sales are hampered by a shortage of semiconductors

The shortage of semiconductors, the war between Russia and Ukraine, rising vehicle prices, rising fuel prices and other supply chain problems continue to affect the mood of buyers in the passenger car market in India. In terms of net figures, the low base effect has begun, and most OEMs are in the black compared to the marginal sales seen in April last year when the country was battling the Covid-19 disaster.

Maruti Suzuki India: 121,995 units / -10%
The leading car manufacturer in India is Maruti Suzuki. India’s domestic sales, including ultraviolet cars and vans, fell to 121,995 units against 135,879 units in April 2021, a drop of 10 per cent. In total, in April 2022, the company sold 150,661 units. Compared to last month, there is also a significant decrease. April sales fell nine percent from 133,861 units sold in March 2022.

The company said in a statement that the lack of electronic components had little effect on the production of vehicles, mostly domestic models. Maruti said he had taken all possible measures to minimize the consequences.

In terms of exports, the figures for April were 18,413 units against 17,237 units in April 2021. The company has mainly focused on export models because the chips needed for these models are more readily available.

Maruti recently released an updated XL6, while other products planned for the near future will include an updated Brezza in the entry-level SUV and then a five-door Jimny SUV. Also under development is a mid-size SUV that will compete with Kia Seltos and Hyundai Creta, which will have Toyota and Suzuki badges.

Hyundai Motor India: 44,001 units / -10%
In April 2022, Hyundai Motor India’s domestic sales were 44,001 units, down 10.2 percent from 49,002 units sold in April 2021. In March 2022, Hyundai sold 44,600 units, down 1% from a month. . The decline in growth can be attributed to the problems of the global supply chain.

The performance of the Korean automaker in 22 f.g. slightly better than 21 ff, recording a 2 percent increase to 481,500 units (21 fg: 471,535). The Korean carmaker is seeing high demand for some of its popular models, such as the Creta – the waiting period of which is still 8-12 months, depending on the option and the city. Other models, including the premium Hyundai i20 hatchback, the compact Venue SUV, and the compact Aura sedan, especially in the CNG configuration, are in high demand.

Tata Motors: 41,587 units / 66%
Tata Motors sold 41,587 units of domestic sales in April 2022, recording a significant increase of 66 percent over the same period last year compared to 25,095 units sold in the same month last year. In March 2022, the company sold 42,295 units, maintaining a steady trajectory for the month.

Of the total internal combustion model, Tata sold 39,265 units (April 2021: 24,514 / + 60%), while electric transmission models, including the Nexon EV, Tigor EV and Xpres-T, rose quadrupled and purchased by 2,332 buyers. .

Despite the limitations in the global supply chain, Tata Motors has been adept at its crisis planning and management over the past year, bringing in 22 fg. Recently, the company introduced two completely new concepts – Tata Curvv – which will generate a future electric SUV and SUV with ice, as well as Tata Avinya – which will lead to the creation of medium-sized SUVs in pure EV architecture to offer control. Range of more than 500 km on a single charge. The first SUV based on Avinya will appear on the market by 2025.

Mahindra and Mahindra: 22,526 units / 23%
Mahindra & Mahindra in the passenger car segment sold 22,526 cars in April 2022. This is an increase of 23 percent over the same period last year: the company sold 18,285 units over the same period last year. Exports for the month amounted to 2703 units of cars. Last month, Mahindra sold 27,386 vehicles, up 18 percent.

According to Veejay Nakra, president of M&M’s automotive division, “we have continued our growth trajectory in the SUV segment, with 22,168 car sales up 22 percent.”

Toyota Kirloskar Motor: 15,085 units / 57%
Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) sold 15,085 units in April, a significant increase of 57 percent compared to 9,600 units sold in April 2021. The company recorded a 12 percent drop in sales for the month they sold. 17,130 units in March 2022. The increase in numbers is due to a low base a year ago when the second wave of Covid in India led to a slowdown in demand for cars.

TKM, which is still in high demand for its Fortuner SUV and MPV Innova Crysta, also introduced two Fortuner price increases of Rs 250,000 between January and April 2022. Starting May 1, it also raised prices on the Glanza and Urban Cruiser, citing rising input costs, but said in a statement that overall exposure had been reduced to minimize impact on consumers. The company is working with Maruti Suzuki India to develop a brand new mid-size SUV and is likely to showcase the new product later this year.

MG Motor India: 2008 units / -22%
MG Motor India reported sales of 2008 units in April 2022 as production was affected by global supply chain constraints and it remained volatile. Last April, the company sold 2,565 units, which also suffered from Covid-19 and witnessed blockades in many parts of the country. A statement from the company said it expects the situation to gradually improve within 6-8 weeks. MG Motor also saw a 57 percent drop in sales for the month. (March 2022: 4721 units)

He added that Hector, Astar and Gloucester continue to show a positive impetus in inquiries and bookings. The all-new ZS EV continues to win strong customer reviews with over 1,000 bookings per month. To further strengthen the EV ecosystem, MG Motor recently partnered with Bharat Petroleum to build an EV charging infrastructure nationwide.

Skoda Auto India: 5152 units / 436%
In April 2022, Skoda Auto (India) reported 5,152 domestic sales, up 436 percent from 961 units registered in April last year. Sales in April – the second largest number of units sold in the month after March 2022, when the company recorded 5,608 units, down 8 percent. The company associates stable sales figures with increasing network expansion, increasing points of contact with customers.

Zach Hollis, brand director of Skoda Auto India, said: “Slavia is a resounding success and the Kushaq SUV continues to find new homes. We have already overcome more than 190 points of contact and will only expand. This “Beyond the Product” approach shows record stable sales from month to month.

Growth prospects
Although some green renaissance sprouts are trying to gain a foothold, it would be wrong to conclude that the industry is completely out of the woods. Meeting winds from the supply side in the form of raw material shortages and high commodity prices remain a canopy and a key concern. Most OEMs rely on different options to increase sales.