The Indian two-wheeler market witnessed an upswing in sales in May 2022. All major players reported strong numbers, an indication of improving buyer sentiments as the economy opens up. Another likely factor is that with companies encouraging work from the office, the demand for personal transport is pushing sales.
The overall sentiment has also improved due to the excise duty reductions in fuel. In fact, the growth trajectory may continue if it’s a good monsoon season. This would potentially improve rural incomes, which could lead to buyers acquiring a bike or scooter. One factor that could play spoilsport is the hike in third party insurance premiums.
Here’s a detailed sales report of all major two-wheeler manufacturers in India for the month of May 2022.
Hero MotoCorp: 4,66,466 units
Hero MotoCorp sold 4,66,466 units in May 2022 in the domestic market, as against 1,59,561 units in May 2021. In the month-on-month sales, the company posted a 17 percent growth over the previous month when it sold 3,98,490 two-wheelers. A total of 4,86,704 units, including the exports of 20,238 units, were sold in May 2022. Vikram Kasbekar, the company’s executive director, said, "The recent decision of the government to reduce the central excise duty on petrol and diesel, which has lowered fuel costs, provided a much-needed relief to motorcycle and scooter users in the country.” During the month, the company also launched the new edition of Splendor – the Splendor+ XTEC, which it hopes will add to sales of this brand that has built for itself a formidable reputation.
Bajaj Auto: 96,102 units
Bajaj Auto’s May 2022 domestic two-wheeler sales increased 59 percent to 96,102 vehicles, compared to 60,342 two-wheelers sold in May 2021; its April 2022 tally was 93,233 units. Exports have, however, declined 15 percent to 1,53,397 two-wheelers from 1,80,212 vehicles exported last May. The semiconductor shortage has been affecting the company’s performance adversely over the past few months.
Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India: 3,20,844 units
Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India’s (HMSI) domestic sales stood at 3,20,844 units in May 2022, as against 38,763 two-wheelers in May 2021. However, compared to its April 2022 sales (3,18,732 units) it registered a 1 percent month-on-month growth.
Atsushi Ogata, MD, president and CEO, HMSI, said, "The market is gaining back strength, as disturbances in terms of supply-side are subsiding, coupled with rising physical presence at office and educational institutions. The sales figures this month remain incomparable from May 2021, as frequent lockdowns in wake of the second wave marred the performance during this period last year. Growth in domestic as well as international trade continues to complement each other as we approach an early monsoon."
TVS Motor Company: 1,91,482 units
TVS Motor Company’s May sales rose 6 percent month-on-month, with 1,91,482 units sold in May 2022 as against 1,80,533 units sold in April 2022. Its domestic two-wheeler sales grew from 52,084 units in May 2021 to 1,91,482 units in May 2022.
The company said that while the chips situation saw some improvement, the supply of semiconductors affected production and sales of premium two-wheelers. "We are working aggressively with alternate sources and taking every effort to improve supplies at the earliest,” the company said.
Royal Enfield: 53,525 units
Royal Enfield posted domestic sales of 53,525 units in May 2022, as against 20,073 motorcycles for the same month last year. Continuing its upwards trajectory in international markets, Royal Enfield exported 10,118 motorcycles, which is its highest ever, representing a 40 percent year on year growth.
Suzuki Motorcycle India: 60,518 units
In the domestic market, Suzuki Motorcycle India sold 60,518 units, an 11 percent growth in month-on-month sales as against 54,327 units in April 2022. The company also exported 11,008 units in May 2022. Satoshi Uchida, managing director, Suzuki Motorcycle India, said, “The two-wheeler industry continues to manoeuvre through the challenges presented by the pandemic and supply-chain crisis. Despite these testing circumstances, Suzuki Motorcycle India has witnessed a satisfactory demand, both from the domestic and overseas markets.”