[TusharK]

According to vehicle retail data shared by the Federation of Automotive Dealers Association (FADA), the 2-wheeler segment registered a YoY growth of 12.42%. However, sales remain below pre-pandemic levels.



Data shows that 14,45,867 units were sold last month compared to 12,86,109 units in March 2022. The 2-wheeler segment witnessed a growth of 12% YoY but was down by 9% from its pre-covid levels. This could be attributed to the inflationary pressure experienced by rural markets.



The 2-wheeler segment fell to a 7-year low with total retails of 15.9 million during FY2023. EV penetration in this category during the year was at 4.5%. The cumulative 2-wheeler sales for FY2023 stood at 1,59,95,968 units, which is 18.54% more than the previous fiscal (1,34,94,214 units).



Link to Team-BHP News

[PraNeel]

The two wheeler prices have increased drastically after BS6 emission norms came into force.
One of my neighbor works in a 2 wheeler factory and he told that for transition to BS6 company changed the entire assembly line and made significant changes to vehicle and hence heavy price increase, while it could have been done for significantly less amount of money.
A humble 100cc 2 wheeler (motorcycle or scooter) costs a minimum of 80k on road, that too for their no frills base model.
Insurance prices are also increasing every year, along with vehicle prices and yet the numbers are improving.

[anjan_c2007]

Unlike yesteryears when the middle and upper middle class were two wheeler customers, since the last few decades, a sizeable number of those who buy two wheelers are from the lower and lower middle class (also lower class). These include the low paid, self employed and daily wagers too who sustain themselves on their day to day income.

Apart from the BS VI norms, the Supreme Court judgment in a civil matter and its aftermath has directed compulsory insurance for five years for two wheelers at the time of purchase since 20.07.2018. For new four wheelers this period is three years. As we see, there is not much let up in demand for four wheelers. The two wheeler prices have gone up by at least Rs 6000 if we calculate the third party premium at a minimum of Rs 1200 p. a.

The contentions by the Road Safety Committee appointed by the Supreme Court justified levy of such compulsory insurance for five years, saying that numerous uninsured two wheeler riders do not receive compensation after injuries or death, as a sizeable majority of two wheelers are not insured. But then what about the two wheeler rider from the sixth year onwards if he or she decides to ignore insurance and drives the vehicle uninsured?

To add to the ex-showroom price tag, we also have regular increases levied by manufacturers.

These price rises are detrimental for those buyers who are simply unable to afford the higher price tags. Most would prefer to settle for used two wheelers. We have seen lesser footfalls in showrooms for commuter two wheelers, ever since the compulsory five year insurance levy was mandated.

[100Kmphormore]

The pricing, especially of scooters and bikes in the 125-200cc range is ridiculous. The Ntorq comes close to 1.2L on road today! Agreed that its a heck of a scooter, but equivalent pricing to a 150-200 cc segment? Some sort of price control board has to be set to contain this inflating prices. Due to this, even used vehicles are costing a bomb, even 2nd and 3rd owners. A 2018 2nd owner Ntorq with 45000 km running is selling at 60k! That was the on road price of the scooter back in 2018! I feel like a fool after having sold my 2013 Ray (I am 2nd owner) for 15k, i could have got a cool 30k minimum. It had run only 22k km.

[ArTigor]

This is bound to happen just look how the prices of 2 wheelers have almost doubled in the last 6 years, unlike cars and 4 wheelers, 2 wheelers cater to a very price sensitive economic category in India. When we look at the rural areas, average income have not increased in a great way (don't know what the annual economic reports say but I know how bad the situation is on ground), but at the same time retail inflation is hurting the rural crowd, commodities like oil, gas and many more daily essentials are getting costly and in such a scenario a new 2 wheeler which is costing almost 80k-1lakh rupees is the last thing people would prioritize.
In case of urban areas, most of the major cities public transport is improving this may also be a factor contributing to the decline in 2 wheeler sales.
In addition to this, in the tier 2 & 3 cities I have seen a rise in used 2 wheeler market.

Recently we were planning to buy an activa for our farm usage, after seeing the prices we just cancelled our plans, as spending 1 lakh on an activa made no sense. Even a TVS XL100 is selling at 60k rupees on road!