Worrying trend: Auto sector sees major dip in June-quarter domestic sales

Automotive industry body, the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), on Tuesday released the quarterly domestic sales numbers, revealing a disturbing trend. Year-on-year, the domestic sales in the April-June quarter fell sharply for passenger cars, e-rikshaws, and motorcycles.

The summer-to-monsoon quarter this year saw overall passenger vehicle sales dip 1.4 per cent to 10,11,882. Out of this, passenger cars alone slid 11.2 per cent to 3,02,991 during the three months vs the same quarter in 2024.

Total commercial vehicle sales too inched 0.6 per cent down domestically to 2,23,215. While total three-wheeler sales were almost flat at 1,65,081, e-rikshaw sales slumped 30.3 per cent to 2,593.

Total two-wheeler sales also suffered, down 6.2 per cent to 46,74,562, as motorcycle domestic sales numbers slowed by 9.2 per cent to 29,03,449 year-on-year.

Overall, the total domestic sales according to SIAM slid 5.1 per cent for the quarter to just 60,74,874 vehicles.

For June, all categories of domestic vehicles saw sales slide, except for passenger carrier three-wheelers (up 5.3 per cent). Total passenger vehicle sales fell by 7.4 per cent for June year-on-year, and total two-wheeler sales dipped 3.4 per cent. Motorcycles saw a 3.7 per cent dip for the month.

These all pointed to a slow April-June quarter, in a time when many automakers came out with discounts and sale offers.

(With inputs from Nachiket Kelkar)

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