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Electric cars continued upward trend

Although the new vehicle registration momentum continued into August, the number of registrations slowed down to 50,555 from the record peak of 62,221 in July due to fall in the two-wheeler registrations, according to the research arm of a leading stock broking house.

The monthly vehicle registrations report by the JB Securities noted that the two-wheeler registrations dropped to 25,655 units in August from 33,722 units in July but this is still significantly up from 18,997 units 12-months ago.The market leader, Bajaj’s share has dropped to 35.1 percent while India’s Hero’s and Japan’s Honda’s market shares were 20 percent each. The fourth player, India’s TVS has a 14.6 percent market share.

August motorcar registrations were 8,869 units, slightly down from 9,763 units in July. However, this is four times the 2,361 units recorded 12 months ago.
The brand new car registrations were 4,990 units while the pre-owned cars were 3,879, both categories slightly down from 5,773 units and 3,963 units respectively in July. However, the corresponding registrations in August 2014 have been significantly higher - 788 units and 1,573 units - respectively.

In the brand new category, smaller cars less than 1,000 CC dominated with 94 percent share, with Maruti’s accounting for 4,075 units down from 5,024 units recorded in July but significantly higher than 380 units recorded 12 months ago.

In the pre-owned category, Toyota accounted for 1,550 units (Aqua - 843, Prius - 240, Axio - 374), Suzuki 1,109 units (Wagon R - 1080) followed by Honda 779 units (Fit - 614).

Meanwhile the premium brands saw an increase of 3 units from a month ago to 102 units. 

The corresponding figure last year was 86 units.

“Mercedez accounted for 34 new units (C-class 19, E-class 9, S-class 4) and 12 pre-owned units (C-class 3, E-class 6). BMW accounted for 20 new units (5-series 16, 3-series 2) and 12 pre-owned units. A notable item is a Rolls Royce Ghost EWB,” JB Securities observed.

Further, there were 635 Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) registrations in August, down from 776 units in July and 805 units 12-months ago.

Honda Vezel accounted for 176 units, significantly down from 1,271 units in January while Toyota accounted for 193 units (Prado 150, Harrier 33), Mitsubishi 103 units (Outlander PHEV 89) and Nissan 64 (60 X-trail hybrids).

“Of the 776 units recorded in August 392 were crossovers (less than 2,000cc and mostly 2WD) and 243 units were SUVs (2,000 cc engines and 4WD),” the report said.

All in all, there have been 3,813 hybrid vehicles registered in August, down from 4,077 units in July and 2,045 units 12 months ago. Motor cars accounted for 3,813 units, SUVs 342 units and Vans 36 units.

Meanwhile, the electric cars continued its upward trend as 378 units were registered in August, up from 284 units in July and mere 8 units from 12-months ago.

Nissan Leaf accounted for 271 units, amongst the notable models under other were 2 BMW I3s, 2 units of Mitsubishi MIEV and 1 units of VW E-Golf.

Van registrations were 1,224 units, up from 1,189 units in July and 169 units a year ago.

Three-wheeler registrations were down to 10,273 units from 12,248 units in July but significantly up from 7,047 units a year ago.

The ensuing months are expected to see a higher registration numbers as people are seen front-loading their vehicle purchases because of the expectation of a tax hike in the forthcoming budget and the fall in the rupee.