Though the overall automobile production in the country performed a narrow increase in April- December period of the current financial year, medium and heavy vehicles (M&H) segment recorded 22% decline.
As per the data of the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers [SIAM], total production in M& H segment was 2,11,530 vehicles against 2,72,400 in the same period of last financial year.
India’s overall automobile production increased just 2 % at 1.57 crore vehicles as against 1.54 crore.
According to the data M&H was the most affected vertical and this is mainly attributed to the overall slow down in the economy, especially in fields like construction and manufacturing.
Compared to 2010-11, total production recorded 11% growth in FY 2011-12 in this segment. But the current year feels a significant set back that in turn affected the OE segment supply of truck/bus tyres too.
Vehicle Production
| Growth | April-Dec'12 | April-Dec'13 | Change |
| M&H Vehicle | 2,72,400 | 2,11,530 | -22% |
| LCV | 3,88,802 | 3,98,714 | 3% |
| Car | 177,4,202 | 177,32,52 | -0.1% |
| UVs/Vans | 4,28,493 | 588,834 | 37% |
| Scooters | 19,17,622 | 22,50, 980 | 17% |
| Motorcycles | 90,17,628 | 89,44,387 | 1% |
| Mopeds | 57,66,07 | 580,363 | -1% |
| Scooters (3 wheelers) | 644,644 | 617,583 | -7% |
| Tractors | 372,282 | 344,911 | -7% |
Source: SIAM & TMA
The crisis ridden automobile industry also performed badly in passenger car segment too. The production drop was 0.2 % at 1.8 million units. During 2011-12 passenger segment recorded a growth of 2%. Except in utility vehicles/vans, scooter [two-wheelers] and Light Commercial Vehicles [LCVs], all other vehicle verticals performed negative growth in April–December period.
The most promising increase was in Utility vehicles in which production increased 37%.
5,88,834 vehicles were produced in this segment as against 4,28,493 in the same period of last FY. 2.2 million scooters (two Wheelers) were produced as against 1.9 million, registering a growth of 17%. LCV segment has grown 3% at 398,714 units.
In the tractor segment 3,44,911 units were produced as against 3,72,282 units in the same period of last FY, registering 7% decline according to the data of Tractor Manufacturers Association [TMA].
