Sri Lanka motor car registrations rise to 3,221 units in July: JB

Aug 25, 2017 (LBO) Sri Lanka's motor car registrations rose to 3,221 units in July, up from 2,802 units in June, the highest monthly figure so far this year, JB Securities said in a research note. Registrations are still down from a high of 14,544 units in September 2015. 'Overall, brand new motor cars have increased by 17 percent month-on-month. Micro observed growth in the “Panda” car, Renault observed growth in the “KWID” and Tata observed the most significant growth in their “Nano Twist XTA,”' the note said.

Pre-owned motor cars increased by 13.7 percent month-on-month. Toyota, Suzuki and Honda observed growth in pre-owned registrations. Premium car registrations have declined from 94 units in June to 65 in July. "Brand new premium cars remained the same with Mercedes Benz leading the way with growth observed in the E-Class." Overall weak electric car registrations increased from 13 in June to 17 in July, with Nissan leaf recorded 13 registrations. Three-wheelers observed a decline by 4.

7 percent month-on-month to 1,787 units. Bajaj’s market share dropped from 94.6 percent to 92.1 percent. Two-wheelers registered 30,226 units in July, a 10 percent increase month-on-month. The note said, "130cc segment share improved from 79.4% to 80.8%. Honda’s dominant market share increased from 36.5% to 38%. Scooters increased from 14,846 to 17,893 in July, led by growth in Honda." Light trucks increased significantly by 55 percent in July to 177 units, while buses grew by 7.7 percent to 205 units, down from a high of 381 in March.