Jun 19, 2019 (LBO) - Vehicle registrations across the board slowed except for 2 wheelers, mini and light trucks during the period May 2019, a new report shows with the turmoil in the country during that month significantly contributing.
Total motor car registrations recorded 1,816 units in May down from 2,120 units in April and significantly down from 7,226 units 12 months ago.
Brand new motor car registrations recorded 291 units in May down from 309 units in April and significantly down from 1,267 units 12 months ago. Small cars with engines < 1,000 cc have a segment share of 74.2%. Maruti/Suzuki recorded 74 units followed by Perodua with 53 units and Renault with 42 units. Financing share was 44.7% in line with the recent monthly average.
Preowned motor car registrations recorded 1,525 units in May down from 1,811 units in April and significantly down from 5,959 units 12 months ago. Small cars (< 1,000cc) account for 94% of units. Toyota is the segment leader recording 932 units (61% share) – Vitz 802 units followed by Suzuki recording 377 units – Wagon R 222 units. Financing share was 52.8% in line with the recent monthly average.
Premium motor cars recorded 93 units in May up from 69 units in April but significantly down from 286 units 12 months ago. Brand new accounted for 42 units – Mercedes Benz recorded 35 units – C class 30 units probably permit cars and Audi 5 units. The preowned segment recorded 51 units – Mercedes Benz 14 units, BMW 16 units – 3 series 8 units and Audi 21 units – A1 13, A3 7 units.
Under notable premium cars only a BMW i8 was recorded.Electric car registrations recorded 6 units in May up from 2 units in April but down from 24 units 12 months ago. Nissan Leaf accounted for 5 of these units.
SUVs registrations recorded 303 units in May significantly down from 432 units in April and 479 units 12 months ago. Brand new accounted for 187 units and the balance 116 units were preowned. Vehicles with < 1,000 cc engines account for the bulk of units – 269, < 1,500 cc account for 23 units and only 11 units are vehicles with engines > 2,000 cc. Morris Garage (MG) accounted for 97 units for it is attractively prices at around LKR 5.5 mn. Toyota accounted for 48 units – C-HR 29 units, Mitsubishi 31 units – Eclipse 13, Expander 18 and Range Rover 18 units – Sport 15. Financing share was 45.5% in line with the normal monthly average.
Hybrids recorded 458 units in May down from 595 units in April and significantly down from 3,850 units 12 months ago. Hybrid motor cars recorded 431 units in May down from 556 units in April and significantly down from 3,747 units 12 months ago. Brand new cars accounted for 100 units, the balance 331 units were preowned. Suzuki accounts for 347 units (76% share) – Wagon R 278 units. SUVs recorded 27 units in May down from 38 units in April and significantly down from 100 units 12 months ago.
Van registrations recorded 464 units in May down from 529 units in April and significantly down from 750 units 12 months ago. Brand new only accounted for 10 units, the balance 454 units were preowned. Mini vans account for the bulk of the segment recording 406 units, the balance 58 units were vans with engines larger than > 1,000 cc. Suzuki is the segment leader with a 52.8% share. Financing share was 63.1% in line with the normal monthly average.
3-wheeler registrations recorded 892 units in May down from 1,068 units in April and 1,205 units 12 months ago. This is the first time since 2011 that monthly registrations have dropped below a 4-digit number. We estimate that the 3-wheeler population is contracting for scrappage exceeds new additions. Bajaj continues to be the category leader with a 87.6% share. Financing share was 71.1% in line with the normal monthly average.
2-wheeler registrations recorded 27,508 units up from 22,753 units in April but down from 32,500 units 12 months ago. Brand new accounts for the bulk of registrations recording 27,096 units, the balance 412 units were preowned and electric 2-wheelers recorded a mere 49 units. The scooter segment accounts for the bulk of the category recording 18,244 units (66.3% share). In the scooter segment Honda is the dominant leader with a 59.1% share followed distantly by TVS and Yamaha with a 14.6% and 14.5% share, respectively. In the motor bike segment Bajaj is the segment leader with a 38% share followed by Yamaha with a 22% share. In the overall category Honda is the market leader with a 42.5% share followed by Yamaha with a 17.3% share. Financing share was 75.6% in line with the normal monthly average.
Pickup truck registrations recorded 58 units in May down from 72 units in April and 94 units 12 months ago. Brand new dominates the segment accounting for 56 units, the balance 2 units were preowned. Tata is the segment leader with a 55.2% share followed by Toyota with a 31% share. Financing share was 89.7% significantly above the normally monthly average in their high 60s.
Mini truck registrations recorded 136 units in May up from 83 units in April but significantly down from 397 units 12 months ago. Brand new units accounted for the bulk of the segment recording 122 units, the balance 14 units were preowned. Tata is the segment leader with a 63.9% share. Financing share was 77.2% down from the normal monthly average that hovers in the mid-80s.
Light truck registrations recorded 205 units in May up from 163 units in April but down from 267 units 12 months ago. Brand new units accounted for 176 units, the balance 29 units were preowned. Mahindra is the segment leader accounting for a 82.4% share. Financing share was 84.4% in line with the normal monthly average.
Medium truck registrations recorded 139 units in May down from 170 units in April and significantly down from 347 units 12 months ago. Brand new registrations recorded 50 units, the balance 89 units being the majority were preowned. Isuzu is the segment leader with a 63% share. Financing share was 82.7% in line with the normal monthly average.
Heavy truck registrations recorded 105 units in May marginally down from 109 units in April and significantly down from 243 units 12 months ago. Tippers accounted for 41 units – this segment has NOT slowed to the same extent as other units in the segment. Tata remains the segment leader with 57% market share followed by Ashok Leyland with a 20.4% share. Financing share was 81.9% in line with the normal monthly average.
Bus registrations recorded 66 units in May down from 90 units in April and significantly down from 184 units 12 months. Brand new registrations were 40 units, the balance 26 units were preowned. Ashok Leyland the segment leader only recorded 24 units which explains the significant slowdown in the category. Financing share was 80.3% in line with the normal monthly average.
Hand tractor registrations recorded 159 units in May significantly down from 237 units in April and down from 220 units recorded 12 months ago. Farm Master is the segment leader with a 43% share. Financing share was 53.5% in line with the normal monthly average.
Large tractor registrations recorded 310 units in May marginally down from 338 unit in April and significantly down from 500 units recorded 12 months ago. Tafe was the segment leader posting a 37% share. Financing share was 85.8% in line with the normal monthly average.