With passenger vehicle inventory levels soaring to an all-time high of 63-66 days, dealerships are signalling capacity concerns. FADA, which released its Vehicle Retail data for October 2023, has issued a red flag, urging OEMs to not only moderate vehicle dispatches but also to introduce more aggressive and attractive schemes promptly, to clear inventory before the year end.
Festive days might spike bookings, yet the shadow of year-end discounts looms over immediate sales, notes the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations in its press release. Without substantial interventions and if Diwali sales don’t rise to the occasion, the weight of unsold stock could lead to significant dealer distress, echoing FADA’s concerns for potential industry-wide repercussions. Immediate and decisive action is imperative to counter the risk of a financial squeeze as the year closes, it further notes.
The PV segment navigated a complex landscape, marked by both enthusiasm and caution. During Navratri, despite regional variability, the industry witnessed a surge in bookings, buoyed by the introduction of compelling new models, particularly SUVs and the availability of attractive consumer offers. However, the impact of local elections and market saturation meant that the festive spirit didn’t translate uniformly into sales across all regions.
Besides this, the first half of October ’23, marked by the Shraddh period, saw an 8% YoY decline. However, a month on month comparison reveals a 13% surge, indicative of resilient market demand.
When compared MoM, Auto Retails flourished, achieving a 13% increase, with contributions from all categories. Two-wheelers, three-wheelers, passenger vehicles, tractors, and commercial vehicles expanded by 15%, 2%, 7%, 15%, and 10%, respectively, underscoring the sector’s robust growth momentum.
Navratri of 2023 marked a milestone with retail sales soaring by 18% year-over-year, surpassing the figures of Navratri 2017. Except for tractors, which saw an 8% decline, all categories exhibited commendable growth. Two-wheelers, three-wheelers, commercial vehicles, and passenger vehicles experienced increases of 22%, 43%, 9%, and 7%, respectively.
The 3W segment continued the uptick in demand during Navratri, largely driven by competitive finance options and a significant rise in e-Rickshaw interest, signalling a healthy move towards electrification. October continued this positive trend with robust market sentiments and festive celebrations contributing to increased customer bookings.
The CV segment experienced robust bookings and a positive uptake in retail sales, buoyed by festive cheer and strategic price support from manufacturers. The demand for light and small commercial vehicles surged, driven by infrastructure development activities and the need for vehicle replacement. Healthy demand was witnessed especially in segments like cement, iron ore and coal transport. The festive seasons, including Navratri, catalysed market activity, with customers taking advantage of favourable finance schemes.