May auto sales: From Maruti to Kia, here's how automakers performed

Automobile manufacturers released their sales data on June 1. Maruti Suzuki, the country's largest carmaker, reported a 10.3% year-on-year (YoY) surge in its sales to 1,78,083 units as against 1,61,413 units in the same period last year. The sales a month-on-month basis, grew by 10.9% as against 1,60,529 units in April 2023. However, the company said that the shortage of electronic components had a minor impact on the production of vehicles.

The total domestic sales by the automobile manufacturer stood at 1,46,596 units, sales to other OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) stood at 5,010 units and exports stood at 26,477 units.

The company saw robust growth in the SUV (sport utility vehicle) segment, with sales surging 64.8% Y-o-Y to 46,243 units in May, as against 28,051 in the same period last year. Owing to robust SUV sales, the company’s passenger vehicles sales in May stood at 1,43,708 units, up 15.4%, as against 1,24,474 units in the same period last year.

In the mini car segment which includes models such as Alto and S-Presso, the company sold 12,236 units, witnessing a degrowth of 29.7% YoY, as against 17,408 units in May 2022. In the compact car segment, the company's sales surged marginally by 5.8% YoY to 71,419 units as against 67,947 units in the same period last year. Owing to a decline in mini car sales, the company's passenger car sales declined marginally by 1.5% YoY to 84,647 units as against 85,355 units in May 2022.

Tata Motors Ltd recorded a marginal de-growth in total sales by 1.6% to 74,973 units last month as against 76,210 units in May 2022. The company's total domestic sales declined 2% YoY to 73.448 units in May 2023, as against 74,755 units in May 2022. However, on a month-on-month basis, the company's domestic sales surged by 9.4% as against 68,514 units sold in April.

In the passenger vehicles segment, the company registered a 6% YoY growth in its sales to 45,878 units as against 43,341 units in May 2022. The domestic passenger vehicle sales also declined marginally by 2.4% month-on-month as against 47,007 units sold in April. In the commercial vehicle segment, the company sold 28,989 units, registering a de-growth of 12% YoY as against 32,818 units in May 2022. However, on a month-on-month basis, the domestic commercial vehicle sales grew by 34.7% as against 21,507 units in April.

Mahindra & Mahindra, which has helmed the SUV segment for the last five quarters, recorded total sales of 61,415 units in May. In the SUV segment, the company registered a 23% growth YoY to 32,883 units as against 26,632 units in May 2022 in the domestic market. The domestic sales for small commercial vehicles (LCV < 3.5T) stood at 19,053 vehicles.

The company said that the sales volumes for both SUVs and Pik-Ups were restricted by a short-term disruption in engine-related parts at the supplier end. The semiconductor supply constraints on specific parts like Air Bag ECU also continued this month.

Hyundai Motor India registered domestic sales volume of 48,601 units, up 14.91% YoY as against 42,293 units sold in May 2022. The company's export stood at 11,000 units, up 22.63% as against 8.970 units in the same period last year. The company's total sales grew by 16.26% YoY to 59,601 units as against 51,263 units in the same period last year.

Kia India sold 24,770 units in May as against 24,079 units in the same period last year. While the overall domestic sales stood at 18,766 units, the exports accounted for 6,004 units in the month of May. While Kia Sonet was a key growth driver for Kia's overall sales at 8,251 units, both Seltos and the Carens demonstrated strong performance, selling 4,065 units and 6,367 units respectively. EV6, Kia's maiden electric offering, gained traction with 83 units sold.

MG Motor India registered 25% YoY growth in sales to 5,006 units as against 4,008 units sold in May 2022, driven by robust sales in ZS EV and MG Comet EV.