Sri Lanka vehicle registrations rebound from July lows: JB

Sept 19, 2016 (LBO) - Sri Lanka vehicle registrations saw a rebound in August from the July lows in the categories of small cars, three-wheelers, two-wheelers and mini trucks, JB Securities said. Motor car registrations in August were 3,011 units, up from 2,596 units the previous month, although significantly down from a high of 14,544 in September.

Brand new segment registrations recorded 1,738 units in the month, up from 1,438 units the previous month. Maruti recorded 632 units (Alto – 405, Celerio – 213 units) slightly down from 633 units the previous month. Renault kwid recorded 406 units in the month, a steep jump up from 72 units the previous month – this is a direct competitor to the Maruti Alto at a similar price range (Rs 2.1 million) and engine (800cc). Since Renault is linked up with Nissan globally the agent is AMW thus one firm is controlling the two bestselling small cars. Micro Panda recorded 151 units followed by Hyunda Eon with 94 units and Perodua with 82 units. Financing share on small cars is 64.5%. Preowned car registrations recorded 1,273 units in Aug significantly down from 3,891 units 12 months ago. Toyota recorded 492 units, Suzuki recorded 451 units and Honda recorded 241 units. Financing share was 64.8% in line with its normal average. Premium brand car registrations were 70 units in the month down from 87 units the previous month and down from 102 units 12 months ago. Mercedes recorded 16 new units (C-class 6, E-class 9, S-class 1) and 18 preowned units (C-class 13 – 12 of these are c350 hybrid chargeable units), BMW recorded 9 units (3-series 4 units, 5-series 1 unit) and Audi recorded 1 unit.

Electric cars registrations recorded 44 units in the month down from 59 units the previous month and significantly down from 380 units 12 months ago. Nissan Leaf accounted for 44 units.

SUV registrations recorded 458 units in Aug down from 414 units the previous month and significantly down from 652 units 12 months ago. Toyota recorded 69 units (Prado 29), Honda recorded 117 units (Vezal 109 – most of these vehicles are NOT 4W), Nissan 75 units (mainly X trail) and DFSK Glory 330 with 59 (this is a locally assembled vehicle). BMW X5 recorded 30 units of which 29 are plug in hybrids – this vehicle retails in excess of Rs 22 million. Hybrid registrations recorded 1,391 units in Aug up from 1,278 in July and significantly down from 3,845 units 12 months ago. In the motor car segment Toyota accounted for 433 units (Aqua 215, Axio 146, Prius 54), Suzuki accounted for 453 Wagon R units and Honda accounted for 240 units. Under premium brands Mercedes Hybrids recorded 13 numbers (C350 sport hybrid – 12). Financing share was 67.1%. The hybrid SUV segment recorded 236 units - Nissan X-trail 71, Honda Vezel 109, Mitsubishi Outlander 20 and BMW X5 30. Van registrations recorded 186 units in the month down from 244 units in July and significantly down from 1,234 units 12 months ago. Toyota recorded 62 units, Nissan recorded 13 and Suzuki 15.

Financing share was a high 68.8%. 3-wheeler registrations rebounded recording 4,355 units in Aug up from 3,692 units in July but significantly down from 10,366 units 12 months ago.

Bajaj claimed a share of 89% followed by TVS with 6.6% and Piaggio with 4.2%. Financing share was 86.7%. 2-wheeler registrations recorded 29,365 units last month up from 25,015 units the previous month and 25,836 units 12 months ago. Bajaj was the leader claiming 28.6% closely followed by Honda with 27.5% (scooters account for 93% of their volumes) and then a tie between Hero and TVS with around 15% each. Scooter units during the month were 13,844 up from 12,185 units the previous month – they now account for 47% of the category. In this sub segment Honda has a share of 54.4% followed by Hero with 21.5% and TVS with 14.5% - Bajaj has no scooter offering.

Financing share was 66.3%. Pickup truck registrations recorded 366 units in Aug significantly up from 280 units in July and up from 327 units 12 months ago.

Toyota Hilux recorded 64 units slightly down from 70 units the previous month – it dropped its share to 17.5%. Tata recorded 224 units in the month recording a significant increase from 148 units the previous month – their brand share increased to 61.2%. Mini truck registration logged 1,40 units in Aug a YTD record significantly up from 1,148 units logged the previous month and slightly higher than 1,385 units 12 months ago. Tata is the market leader in this category claiming a share of 58.

1% followed by Mahindra with 36.

6%. Financing share was 92.7%. Lite truck registrations recorded 580 units in the month up from 532 units the previous month and slightly down from 601 units 12 months ago.

Mahindra is the market leader with a 70.8% share followed by DFSK with 15.9%. Financing share is 89.3%. Medium truck registrations recorded 166 units in Aug similar to 159 units in July but down from 243 units 12 months ago. Isuzu is the market leader with a share of 42.

2%. Finance share was 80.1%. Heavy truck registrations recorded 142 units in Aug slightly higher than 134 units recorded in July but slightly lower than 144 units recorded 12 months ago. Lanka Ashok Leyland remains the market leader with a share of 45.1% closely followed by Tata with 42.

9% and Eicher with 14.3%. Financing share was 88.7%. Bus registrations recorded 230 units in Aug higher than 179 units in July but lower than 243 units recorded 12 months ago. Lanka Ashok Leyland continues to be the market leader with a share of 47%. Financing share was 92.6%.