Auto sales on recovery mode but volumes still below FY16 levels | Economic Times

NEW DELHI: Passenger vehicle sales last month rose in strong double-digits as manufacturers stocked dealerships in anticipation of robust sales during the upcoming festive season. According to data available with industry body Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), passenger vehicle sales last month stood at 272,027 units, which is an increase of 26.45% over 215,124 units sold in the year-ago period. Two wheeler sales rose 11.64% to 1,849,546 units in the period under review. Sales of three-wheelers declined 72% to 18,640 units in September. The data does not include those of Tata Motors, which has started reporting sales numbers on a quarterly basis. SIAM President Kenichi Ayukawa said, “Although we are seeing some green shoots, the volumes in most segments are still lower than those seen five years ago. We are expecting strong demand for passenger vehicles and two-wheelers in the festive season. Beyond that it is difficulty to predict how demand will shape up. We have to wait and see.”Automakers in India report wholesale dispatches from factories and not retail sales to customers.