Is the 2-wheeler segment in India experiencing strong growth due to exports and domestic recovery?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- 2.8% year-on-year growth in India's automobile sector.
- Two-wheeler sales driven by exports and festive season preparations.
- Passenger vehicles saw a 0.8% increase in sales.
- Commercial vehicle sales up by 8.0%.
- Government plans to reduce tax on vehicles to 18%.
New Delhi, Sep 3 (NationPress) The Indian automobile sector recorded a 2.8% year-on-year growth in retail sales during August, highlighted by impressive results in the two-wheeler category, according to a report released on Wednesday.
Manufacturers in the two-wheeler industry saw a 2.1% boost in sales, largely driven by exports and preparations for the festive season as dealers stocked up their inventories, as stated in a report from Choice Institutional Equities.
Sales of passenger vehicles experienced a slight uptick of 0.8%, with strong demand particularly noted in the SUV segment. However, the three-wheeler market faced a 2.3% decline year-on-year as consumers gravitated towards electric vehicle options.
Eicher Motors exhibited a remarkable 54.8% year-on-year increase in two-wheeler sales, while TVS Motor Company recorded a 30.1% rise, fueled by a surge in demand for premium motorcycles.
Hero MotoCorp reported an 8.1% increase, attributed to recovery in rural markets, whereas Bajaj Auto noted a 5.0% growth, supported by a 28.6% increase in sales.
The sales of passenger vehicles in the domestic market slowed down as dealers maintained low inventories in anticipation of changes in GST rates. The report also indicated an increase in CNG adoption in this segment.
Mahindra & Mahindra observed a 9% decline in domestic dispatches year-over-year. Meanwhile, Maruti Suzuki witnessed a slight 0.6% drop but was bolstered by robust export performance.
Sales of commercial vehicles rose by 8.0%, while tractor sales surged 29.7% thanks to strong rural demand. The report noted that CV inventory, particularly from Ashok Leyland, has decreased, alleviating pressure on dealers following a sluggish year.
The government is anticipated to reduce taxes on entry-level passenger vehicles and two-wheelers to 18%, enhancing affordability just ahead of Diwali.
At present, all combustion engine-based passenger vehicles are subjected to a GST of 28% plus a compensation cess ranging from 1% to 22% depending on engine size, length, and body type.