May 27, 2019 (LBO) - Sri Lanka's vehicle registrations were down in almost every category in April due to the New Year and Easter holidays and subsequent turmoil in the country post Easter Sunday bombings, a new report shows.
Total motor cars recorded 2,120 units in April down from 2,961 units in March and significantly down from 6,160 units 12 months ago,
a report by research firm JB Securities said.
Brand new motor car registrations recorded 309 units in April down from 422 units in March and significantly down from 866 units 12 months ago. Small cars accounted for 87.4% of total registrations. Suzuki/Maruti accounted for 106 units – Celerio 36 units, Wagon R 69 units followed by Perudua recording 58 units. Financing share was 53.1% in line with the normal monthly average.
Pre-owned cars recorded 1,811 units in April down from 2,539 units in March and significantly down from 5,294 units 12 months ago. Small cars accounted for 94.1% of total registrations in this segment.
Toyota is the segment leader accounting for 1,099 units – Vitz 986 units followed by Suzuki recording 515 units – Wagon R 336 units. Financing share was 54.5% in line with the normal monthly average.
Premium cars recorded 69 units in April significantly down from 160 units in March and 189 units 12 months ago. The brand-new segment accounted for 29 units of which Mercedes Benz accounted for 25 units – C class 20 units (many of them may have been imported on permits). The preowned segment recorded 40 units of which Mercedes Benz accounted for 12 units - C class 8 units and Audi recorded 20 units – A1 11 and A3 7 units.
Under notable premium cars (See second attachment) there was a sole BMW i8.Electric cars recorded a mere 2 units in April similar to the 2 units recorded in March but down from 9 units recorded 12 months ago.
SUVs recorded 432 units in April down from 488 units in March but up from 408 units 12 months ago.
Brand new recorded 264 units and pre-owned the balance 168 units. MG was the category leader accounting for 96 units followed by Honda with 82 units – CR-V 65 units, Toyota with 72 units – C-HR 58 units and Mitsubishi with 46 units – Expander 34 units.
In the premium SUV segment Range Rover recorded 24 units of which Sports accounted for 17 units. Financing share was 46.3% which was in line with the normal monthly average.
Hybrids recorded 595 units in April significantly down from 1,032 units recorded in March and 3,292 units 12 months ago. Hybrid cars recorded 556 units of which Suzuki accounted for 472 units – Wagon R 386 units and SUVs accounted for 38 units.
SUVs recorded 432 units
Vans recorded 529 units in April down from 632 units in March and 773 units 12 months ago. Preowned accounted for 522 units (98.
6%) and mini vans accounted for 438 units (82.8%). Suzuki was the segment leader recording a share of 52.5%. Financing share was 67.3% in line with its normal monthly average.
3-wheelers recorded 1,068 units in April significantly down from 2,192 units in March and 1,469 units 12 months ago.
Bajaj is the dominant category leader with a 93.3% share. Financing share was 70% in line with the normal monthly average.
2-wheelers recorded 22,753 units in April down from 26,851 units in March and significantly down from 29,855 units 12 months ago. Brand new accounted for 98.5% of the category. Scooters recorded 14,925 units in the month down from 17,196 units the previous month. Honda is the category leader accounting for a 45.7% share followed by Yamaha with a 21.8% share, TVS with 16.7% and Bajaj with 13.0%. Financing share was 74.4% in line with the normal monthly average.
Pickup trucks recorded 72 units in April down from 127 units in March and 123 units 12 months ago. Brand new accounted for 66 units and the balance 6 units were preowned. Tata accounted for 52.8% of the segment followed by 36.
1% by Toyota. Financing share was 69.4% in line with the normal monthly average.
Mini trucks recorded a low 83 units in April down from 202 units in March and significantly down from 390 units 12 months ago.
Brand new accounted for 68 units and the balance 15 units were preowned. Tata recorded a 86% share in the brand new segment. Financing share was 81.9% in line with the normal monthly average.
Light trucks recorded 163 units in April down from 252 units in March and significantly down from 290 units 12 months ago. Brand new units accounted for 146 units and the balance 7 units were preowned.
Mahindra claimed a 94.5% share in the brand-new market primarily through its Bolero Maxi truck. Financing share was 84%.
Medium trucks recorded 170 units in April slightly down from 208 units in March and significantly down from 325 units 12 months ago. Brand new accounted for only 59 units, the balance 111 units are preowned. Isuzu is the segment leader with a 58.8% share. Financing share was 81.2% in line with the normal monthly average.
Heavy trucks recorded 109 units in April slightly down from 138 units in March but significantly down from 205 units 12 months ago.
Brand new units accounted for 106 units. Tata was the dominant segment leader accounting for 62.3% share. Financing share was 84.4% higher than the more recent monthly average but in line with the medium-term monthly average.
Buses recorded 90 units in April slightly up from 76 units in March but significantly down from 211 units 12 months ago. Brand new accounted for 53 units and the balance 37 were preowned units. In the new segment Lanka Ashok claimed a 71% share. Financing share was 83.3% in line with the normal monthly average.
Hand tractors recorded 237 units in April up from 141 units in March and 175 units 12 months ago.
Large tractors recorded 338 units in April up from 307 units in March and marginally up from 334 units 12 months ago. Tafe is the market leader accounting for 46.8%. Financing share was 87.9% higher than the recent monthly average of in the mid-70s.