Bike sales grow 24% in July

On the back of 14 per cent growth in sales in the first quarter of financial year 2009-10, two-wheeler makers have reported 24 per cent growth in sales in July. The segment comprises motorcycles and scooters. The growth is a result of low base as annual sales growth last year was a mere 3 per cent.

Hero Honda, the country’s largest motorcycle maker, posted 30 per cent rise in sales as compared with the same month last year. The manufacturer of bestselling 100-cc brands like Passion and Splendor sold 366,808 motorcycles as against 281,317 in the corresponding period last year.

The company’s urban-rural market mix is roughly 60:40.
 

RACING AHEAD
Company	2008	2009	% change
Hero Honda	281,317	366,808	30.4
TVS Motor	102,530	107,883	5
Yamaha	11,792	17,316	47
Suzuki	10,457	12,585	20
Source: Companies

Piyush Parag, an analyst at Religare Securities, says the growth for Hero Honda has come basically from good volumes generated by its 100-cc brands. “Rural markets continue to contribute to the company’s total sales, which is a result of the strong distribution network.”

In the second half of the year, Parag expected sales to dip since the company had gained market share rapidly last year, when the entire market shrunk. Hero Honda’s market share stands at 59 per cent.

July sales for Chennai-based TVS Motor grew 5 per cent to 107,883 units as against 102,530 units in July 2008. Exports dipped about 19 per cent to 13,061 units.

India Yamaha Motorcycles sales grew 47 per cent to 17,316 units. The rise comes from good demand for the company’s high-performance motorcycles belonging to the FZ and YZF series.

Suzuki Motorcycle’s sales grew 20 per cent last month. It sold 12,585 units of motorcycles and scooters. The company says the demand for its 150-cc motorcycle, the GS 150 R, has been robust.

Honda Motorcycles and Scooters India Ltd (HMSI) sold 112,855 units both in export and domestic markets. This number also includes exports of CKDs (completely knocked-down kits.)