Two-wheeler sales momentum continues in February

The monthly two-wheeler sales continue to see consistent growth. The top five players that make up for nearly 80-90 percent of the market delivered upbeat sales numbers. However, on a month-on-month basis, a few manufacturers delivered muted or flat performance due to supply chain concerns as a result of shortage of semiconductors and container availability issues. The impact of the higher fuel prices also needs to be factored in.

Hero MotoCorp
The world’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer, Hero MotoCorp sold around 484,433 units in February 2021. This is a 1 percent increase on a YoY basis compared to the 480,196 units sold in February 2020. On a month-on-month basis, there is a 4 percent growth compared to the 467,776 units sold in January.
Hero MotoCorp remains optimistic about growth in the coming months, as a credible recovery in the Indian economy and a positive momentum towards personal mobility is expected to strengthen the demand for two-wheelers. With the vaccination drive also gaining pace across the country, the company expects a swift recovery in businesses and the economy in the coming months. Recently, the company announced its highest-ever revenue for any single quarter reporting a revenue of Rs 9,776 crore for the third quarter (October-December 2020) of FY2021. 

Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India
Maintaining a positive sales growth momentum for the seventh consecutive month, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India posted a 31 percent jump in domestic sales at 411,578 units in February 2021 as compared to 315,285 units sold last February. On a month-on-month basis they had a 1 percent drop compared to 416,716 units in January 2021.

Honda’s exports also grew 16 percent to 31,118 units. Also, the total sales jumped by a strong 29% to 442,696 units. Yadvinder Singh Guleria, Director – Sales & Marketing, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India said, “While the industry growth is expected to hover near the double digits in Q4 and upcoming Q1 due to the low base of BS VI transition, Honda continues to drive the two-wheeler demand recovery for the second straight month of 2021. Backed by robust demand for our models across both Red Wing and Silver Wing (300cc+ premium motorcycles), Honda’s sales have surged 31 percent in February 2021. We are confident of maintaining the positive sales momentum in coming months too, with our three new models (CB350RS, 2021 Africa Twin Adventure Sports, Grazia sports edition) exciting the market.”

In February, Honda expanded its network and inaugurated three new BigWing showrooms in Siliguri, Vadodara & Thane. With this, Honda’s premium motorcycle business has now expanded to 5 Honda BigWing Topline showrooms (for the entire premium motorcycle range starting 300cc) and 18 Honda BigWings (for 300-500cc mid-size premium motorcycle) outlets.

TVS Motor Co
TVS Motor Company’s domestic two-wheeler sales grew by 15 percent registering 195,145 units in February 2021 as against 169,684 in the same period last year. The company sold around 205,216 units in January 2021, thereby clocking a 5 percent decline on the MoM basis. Also, the company’s total two-wheeler sales grew by 21 percent recording 284,581 units in February 2021 as against 235,891 units in February 2020. Motorcycles grew by 16 percent recording 137,259 units and scooters grew by 56 percent registering 95,525 units in February 2021. 

The total exports for the two-wheeler maker grew by 23 percent at 101,789 units in the month of February 2021. The company said that the demand in the export market continues to be robust, but scarcity in container availability is affecting overall export volumes.

Bajaj Auto
Bajaj Auto reported total sales of 148,934 two-wheelers last month, up 1 percent year on year (February 2020: 146,876). In January 2021, they sold around 157,404 units, posting a 5 percent drop on the month-on-month sales. In comparison, the company’s exports are up 7 percent YoY to 183,629 units (February 2020: 163,346).

Rajiv Bajaj, MD, Bajaj Auto told Autocar Professional: “We are growing at over 50 percent but still losing production every month due to supply chain problems. This month (February 2021) we will lose, between domestic and exports, 6,000 KTMs because of shortage of semiconductors and ABS parts from Bosch.”

Royal Enfield
Chennai-based Royal Enfield sold around 65,114 units in February 2021 posting a growth of 6 percent compared to 61,188 units sold last February. During January 2021, they sold around 64,372 units, posting a 1 percent growth on the MoM basis. The company’s export grew 94 percent in February 2021 (4,545 units) compared to February 2020 (2,348 units).