The company’s domestic wholesale volumes were at 187,704 units, up 35.3 per cent year on year from 1,38,704 units.Maruti Suzuki on Friday said its sales number reached a high in April this year which it has never witnessed in 42 years.
The company’s management said the strong demand came from rural markets, CNG vehicles, sport utility vehicles and a recovery in small cars.
“Our total sales, including domestic, exports and OEM supplies, stood at 2,39,646 units for the month, making it the best monthly performance since the company began operations over four decades ago,” said Partho Banerjee, Senior Executive Officer, Marketing and Sales, Maruti Suzuki.
The company’s domestic wholesale volumes were at 187,704 units, up 35.3 per cent year on year from 1,38,704 units.
Rising rural market, SUV share
The rural market emerged as a major driver for the country’s largest carmaker, with volumes growing 39 per cent and penetration rising to 52.3 per cent.
“Our strategy of moving further into the hinterland is clearly showing results,” he said, adding that network expansion has supported demand.
Catching up with the SUV fever, driven by models such as Brezza, Fronx, Grand Vitara, Victoris, e Vitara and Jimny, the company said its sales numbers grew nearly 2.5 times during the month, rising to 55,065 units. The segment contributed around 30 per cent of the company’s sales.
The total utility vehicle volumes, including MPVs such as the Ertiga, XL6 and Invicto recorded combined sales of 77,892 units, registering 32 per cent growth.
“India is a big market and there is scope for all types of vehicles. We need to provide all form factors and technologies to customers,” Banerjee said.
CNG and small cars
CNG vehicles too recorded their highest-ever monthly sales at 76,348 units, with nearly one in four cars sold running on CNG.
Entry-level models including Alto, S-Presso, Celerio and WagonR posted a 74.4 per cent increase compared with April last year, while the mini segment grew 253.7 per cent.
Banerjee said the growth followed an improvement in production and reflects demand from two-wheeler owners upgrading to cars.
“As soon as we had the capacity to deliver vehicles, we are seeing strong growth in the mini segment,” said Banerjee.
Exports and Jimny
Exports have contributed significantly to the carmaker’s performance during the month, rising 43.5 per cent to 40,054 units in April. This comes despite the raging geopolitical tensions in the West Asian region.
“Despite the war, Maruti Suzuki could grow its exports in April. This is higher than the monthly average of the previous year,” said Rahul Bharti, Senior Executive Officer, Corporate Affairs.
Bharti added that the company exports to around 100 countries to manage risks across markets.
Jimny came out as a star performer in the overseas markets, with exports significantly higher than domestic sales. Bharti noted that the model was the company’s highest exported vehicle in April (6,938 units), with strong traction in markets such as Japan.
Supply and outlook
For the company, the domestic demand continues to be supported by policy factors and low vehicle penetration levels. Banerjee said the company has pending bookings of around 1.6 lakh units, including more than one month of orders for small cars.
On the West Asia situation, Bharti said there has been no impact on operations. “We are diversified across markets and remain unaffected as of now,” he said.
Banerjee added that production and supply chain teams are working to meet demand, with no disruption to sales despite global uncertainties.
