Automakers report higher car, two-wheeler sales in April

Automakers, including Maruti Suzuki, Tata Motors, and TVS Motor reported higher sales of cars and two-wheelers in April from a year earlier, monthly data from the companies showed on Wednesday.

Each month, automobile makers in India release wholesale numbers, or vehicle sales to dealers.

The sales numbers are seen as a key indicator of private consumption in India. The auto sector has more than 50% weightage in calculating the country's economic growth.

Indian automakers posted record sales volumes in fiscal 2024 and the momentum is expected to continue in the current financial year.

In April, two-wheeler sales surged amid regional festivals or weddings, while pricier sport utility vehicles (SUVs) were preferred by customers looking to buy cars, analysts noted.

Rising consumer income levels and the availability of easy financing options with lower EMIs (equated monthly instalments) have helped bolster SUV sales, said Amit Hiranandani, automobile sector lead analyst at brokerage SMIFS.

Meanwhile, sales of small cars have been subdued, with high inflation making them unaffordable for their target demographic.

"We expect that by 2026-end or 2027 we will be seeing again a growth in the (hatchback) segment and again this market will revive," said Partho Banerjee, Maruti's head of marketing and sales said in a call after reporting April sales.