[airbender]

Originally Posted by sidindica

The A2 segment (comprising Alto, WagonR, Estilo, Swift, A-Star and Ritz) also witnessed a fall of 1.18 per cent in sales during March at 54,763 units compared to 55,415 units in the same month a year ago.

This is the only thing to be noted in March. This may be the first time Maruti's A2 segment has taken a dip. Eagarly waiting for nano diesel to see how it will impact Alto. Nissan Micra is also the one to watch out for. I bet Maruti's market share will be lower than what it is a year from now(60% of maruti's sales come from this segment). It will be interesting to see how new emission norms will impact automakers as some of the products are quite old.

I am expecting Ford Figo to impact Vista also.

[vigneshA]

Originally Posted by airbender

This is the only thing to be noted in March. This may be the first time Maruti's A2 segment has taken a dip. Eagarly waiting for nano diesel to see how it will impact Alto. Nissan Micra is also the one to watch out for. I bet Maruti's market share will be lower than what it is a year from now.

+1 to that. Beat & Figo have really upped the ante.

Also the Tata numbers have improved so much so that they might catch up on Hyundai very soon.

[acidkill]

Fiat India Automobiles today announced a growth of 33% in sales for the month of March 2010 over March 2009. Fiat India's total sales (including exports) in March 2010 stood at 2,361 as compared to 1,780 vehicles sold in March 2009.

Maruti, Tata log surge in March sales - BloombergUTV.com

[nishant_242]

Jaguar Land Rover 242 units?
I think the sales of JLR are pretty decent, considering that they have only one showroom in India in Mumbai as of now.
Sales of 242 accounts to 20 units per month. With 4-5 showrooms the sales can easily reach more than 100, which will be impressive that mercedes sells close to 350 vehicles per month in India.

[airbender]

Originally Posted by vigneshA

+1 to that. Beat & Figo have really upped the ante.

Also the Tata numbers have improved so much so that they might catch up on Hyundai very soon.

In a couple of months(Nano starts from Sanand & Aria will be launched), Tata will take on No 2 position from Hyundai. I am sure they will hold it for years to come, also narrowing the difference with No 1.

[Takumi-san]

Dont hold your breath for the Micra. It looks no where as good in real life. At least thats my personal opinion, have seen it lots of times and the car just doesnt cut it. The Beat and the Figo meanwhile have it down to a pat. Maruti is already suffering (though small) a downturn for perhaps the first time?

[Simhi]

Figo sale figures are amazing. With this segment getting hot with entry of Figo, Polo, Micra it will be interesting to see if Maruti can maintain 50% market share and whether Hyundai will take a dent in sales of its best selling car i10.

[Simhi]

Friends. Now we have two threads discussing March sales. Suggestion: Let's post March sales in the separate thread started for the same.

[p'arth]

Originally Posted by acidkill

Fiat India Automobiles today announced a growth of 33% in sales for the month of March 2010 over March 2009. Fiat India's total sales (including exports) in March 2010 stood at 2,361 as compared to 1,780 vehicles sold in March 2009.

Maruti, Tata log surge in March sales - BloombergUTV.com

Fiat India has nothing to cheer about. This 33% growth is not a growth in reality. Remember, March 2009 there was no Punto and only Linea. March 2010 has both Punto and Linea.

With more 1.2 variants of Punto, Fiat may just be able to hold the 2000+ number in the storm of Beat, Figo and Polo.

[sunil8089]

Any figures on Honda & VW?

[anu21v]

Couldn't resist posting this chart from Livemint, till the time we at Team-BHP come up with our own. Looks like Maruti is the ones bearing brunt of new car launches in March . i.e. Polo and Figo. GM, Tata, Mahindra and Hyundai are doing great anyways.



Looking at the graph its pretty clear not only maruti has lost the A2 sales from last march to this march (Despite adding Ritz and Eeco sales into their kitty) but they have also degrew in February to March sales by atleast 7%. Uff the competition.


Link: Auto sales growth slowing as excise rate hike takes effect - Corporate News - livemint.com

Also the VW says they have a 5000 bookings for Polo which just won the World Car of the year Award... Kudos to vw

Volkswagen Polo crowned 'Car of the Year'
(CBS) The Volkswagen Polo took home top honors as the 2010 World Car of the Year at the New York International Auto Show Thursday.

The Polo beat out the Toyota Prius and the Mercedes E-Class.

"We're honored that the Volkswagen Polo was chosen by this distinguished group of jurors," said Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn, chairman of Volkswagen AG "After the great triumph of the Golf last year, we are delighted to repeat this success with the new Polo. These automobiles have reaped numerous awards, winning well-nigh every prize the automotive industry has to award. This shows that Volkswagen is on the right track and is offering arguably the best range of products in its history."

General Motors won World Design Car of the Year for the Chevrolet Camaro.

The Audi R8 V-10 won the World Performance Car of the Year.

[Dippy]

From Ford's Official Press Release

FIGO DRIVES NEW SALES RECORDS FOR FORD IN INDIA

• Ford India sales for the month of March more than tripled year-over-year, rising 203 percent, and nearly tripled from the previous month
  
• Overwhelming popularity of Figo helps set company sales records in first month of availability, with over 10,000 orders booked
  
• Robust customer demand and growing order bank point towards continuing success for Figo
  
• Ford India continues to focus on enhancing its low cost of ownership experience for customers
  

New Delhi, 1st April – The all-new Ford Figo has received more than 10,000 orders less than one month after it went on sale, a new Ford India record. In response to the strong demand, Ford India will launch a second production shift at its plant in Chennai.

The Figo’s popularity helped Ford India's overall March sales more than triple from the same month a year ago, rising an impressive 203 percent to 9,478 units. The exceptional March performance, which also included strong sales of Ford Ikon, Ford Fiesta, and Ford Endeavour, were nearly triple Ford India's February sales, increasing 194 percent.

"We are delighted at the initial response to Figo, and are incredibly proud to have struck such a positive chord with Indian consumers," said Michael Boneham, president and managing director of Ford India. "The launch of Figo is the start of a transformed Ford in India, and a true reflection of our commitment to delivering world-class products that allow Indian customers to feel the difference.''

Part of Ford's US$500-million investment in India, Figo was designed and engineered with Indian customers in mind – including months of exhaustive customer clinic research and thorough testing in both simulated and actual road evaluations.

The Figo is one of the more than 20 new vehicles Ford is introducing globally in 2010. The new cars, trucks and SUVs, which offer class-leading fuel economy, quality, safety and technology, represent substantially more new or freshened product by volume than was introduced in 2009.


“As we remain committed to redefining the Ford brand in India, we expect this momentum to continue,” said Boneham. “Factors such as the initial price of the car, fuel efficiency and cost of maintenance are critical in determining affordability for a new car buyer. Indian customers are confirming that Figo solidly delivers on all of these.”

With longer intervals of key maintenance components due to better durability, competitive cost of the parts and the short time required for vehicle servicing, Figo is placed among the leaders in scheduled service over a 5 year/100,000 kilometer period.

As part of ongoing efforts to demonstrate its competitive cost of ownership, Ford India recently announced the opening of 28 dealerships in India, bringing the total number of Ford outlets to 164 facilities in 97 cities. The company plans to expand to 200 facilities by the end of the year.

[Dippy]

Honda Sales figures for March : From the Official Press Release

HSCI records 18% increase in cumulative sales during April' 09-Mar '10

New Delhi, April 1, 2010: Honda Siel Cars India (HSCI), leading manufacturer of premium cars in India, sold 61,815 units during the financial year April'09 - March'10 as against 52,420 units during the same period last year recording an increase of 18% in sales.

The company sold 5928 units during the month of March'10 as against 7368 units sold during the corresponding month last year.

Model wise sales break-up:
Jazz: 571
City: 4338
Civic: 742
Accord: 211
CR-V: 66

Expansion of Sales and Distribution Network in 2009-10:

Honda Siel Cars India expanded its sales and distribution network across the country during the fiscal year 2009-10 to 117 facilities in 70 cities by adding 14 facilities in 10 cities.

[Dippy]

Toyota Sales figures for March 2010 from the Official Press Release

Toyota Kirloskar Motor – Year-end & March Sales

36% jump in sales in 2009-’10

March recorded highest sales for the year 2009-’10

New Delhi, 1st April 2010: Toyota Kirloskar Motor announced today that it has sold a total of 63,837 units in the year ended March 31, 2010, a 36% jump when compared to 2008-’09.

A total of 6905 vehicles were sold in March 2010 as against 3634 vehicles during the same period last year, recording an increase of 90% making it the highest monthly sales for the year.

Mr. Sandeep Singh, DMD, TKM commented on sales in March: “Apart from customer confidence in our products, the increase in sales for the month of March can also be attributed to the hike in prices that have come into effect from April 1, 2010 because of increase in input costs, the implementation of EURO IV and the increase in local road tax and local sales tax.”

Cumulative sales for the period January to March 2010 stands at 18,887 units, recording an increase of more than 100% over the same period last year.

The Fortuner which was launched in the latter half of 2009 has seen an overwhelming response, and with the increased availability of vehicles has registered record sales of 1095 units in the month of March. And, in the case of the recently launched Prius, deliveries have commenced with 24 cars sold in the very first month.

Additionally more info on the price rise:

Toyota Kirloskar Motor Increases Prices Effective April 1, 2010

Increase in prices of Innova, Corolla, Fortuner
Innova now EURO IV compliant

New Delhi, April 1, 2010: Toyota Kirloskar Motor today announced an increase in prices of the Innova, Corolla and Fortuner due to increase in input costs and the implementation of EURO IV norms.

The range of price increase for each product:

Innova - Rs.20,000 to 23,000 (Includes implementation of EURO IV)
Corolla - Rs.5,000 to 14,000
Fortuner - 10,000

[nurni76]

The year ends with a bang with almost all players registering healthy numbers. Though Maruti has grown, its bread and butter A2 segment has seen a fall. Surely this has to do with 2 factors. Competition like Figo, Polo and Beat providing VFM options and I guess also due to the fact that Wagon R and Alto are due for an upgrade. This may have resulted in lower sales in Wagon R and Alto as people may be waiting for the new refurbished versions.

Ford has performed splendidly, thanks to Figo. It will be intersting to the see the model wise sales for Ford to understand the Figo numbers. I guess the year to follow will also be a good one with new launches for existing players and new brands like Micra coming to the market. Interesting times ahead for Maruti though.