Q3 auto preview: Another dull quarter likely; Maruti among top picks

It has been a tough third quarter (Q3FY18) for companies in the automobile segment. The second quarter of FY19 saw demand tapering off for most of the companies, thanks to a host of headwinds faced by the sector. Unexpected change in insurance policy and rising fuel prices led to a lackluster festive season. However, adding insult to the injury is the current liquidity crunch, which has slowed down loan disposals and, in turn, the demand for the automobile sector.

Two-wheeler companies have been fighting hard while competition among them has been quite brutal, with Bajaj Auto Ltd entering low-end segment by