With both Honda Activa and Suzuki Access witnessing major capacity expansion in production, scooter sales in Ahmedabad zoomed past that of motorcycles for the months of April-May. According to local dealers, in the run up of schools and colleges reopening in June, the months of April-May saw scooter sales growing anywhere between 30 per cent and 50 per cent in the city.
For instance, Planet Petal witnessed a 66 per cent growth in its Suzuki Access sales at 2000 units per month for April-May, as against 1,200 units per month for the same period last year.
"While Activa doubled its production early this year, Access also saw its production rising by over 50 per cent. This has led to a reduced waiting period and increased sales for scooters in Ahmedabad. The motorcycle market as compared to that is growing at 5-6 per cent in Ahmedabad," said Sukhbir Bagga, director Planet Petal.
Nationally as well, the overall two wheelers segment registered a double digit growth of 11.17 per cent during April-May 2012, according to the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) . "Mopeds, motorcycles and scooters grew by 8.04 per cent, 6.89 per cent and 32.35 per cent, respectively in the period of April-May 2012," the industry body stated in a release.
Making the most of the vacation period as well, customers in the city went on a buying spree of scooters in Ahmedabad in April-May. "With schools and colleges set to reopen in June, scooter sales also rose on the back of youngsters heading for a new mode of transportation," said Devendra Bagga, a Honda motorcycles and scooters dealer in the city.
On its part, Honda Activa also saw over 80 per cent growth in its sales in Ahmedabad for April-May 2012 as compared to same period last year.
As against 2,700 units per month last year, this year the city saw Honda Activa sales rising to close to 5,000 units per month.
However, according to dealers, motorcycles didn't see much of a growth due to an increase in traffic congestion. "With traffic congestion rising in several major parts of the city in recent times, customers are getting discouraged to buy motorcycles which has resulted a mere five per cent growth. This has acted in favour of scooter sales," said Anil Patel of Manan Bajaj.
