Sep 23, 2019 (LBO) - Sri Lanka's total motor car registrations recorded 2,385 units in August down from 2,584 units in July and significantly down from 7,003 units 12 months ago, a new report shows.
Brand new cars recorded 361 units in August up from 299 units in July and significantly down from 890 units 12 months ago, data compiled by JB Securities equities research shows.
Small cars (engine < 1,000cc) accounted for 88% of volumes. Maruti/Suzuki was the market leader accounting for 164 units of which Wagon Rs were 63 units.
Preowned cars recorded 2,024 units in August down from 2,285 units in July and significantly down from 6,112 units 12 months ago. Small cars accounted for 77.8% of volumes. Toyota recorded 1,467 units – Vitz 995, Premio – 204 and Suzuki recorded 295 units – Wagon R 128 units.
Premium branded cars accounted for 103 units in August up from 92 units in July and significantly down from 172 units 12 months ago. New cars accounted for 33 units – Mercedes Benz 22 units of which C class accounted for 18 units. Preowned cars accounted for 70 units – MB 28 units of which C class were 24 units, BMW 18 units of which 3-series were 16 units and Audi were 24 units.
The only notable premium car is a BMW i8.
- Electric cars recorded 8 units in August up from 5 units in July and down from 38 units 12 months ago. Nissan Leaf accounted for 5 units.
- SUVs recorded 653 units in August down from 671 units in July and significantly down from 733 units 12 months ago. Brand new accounted for 195 units, the balance 458 units were preowned. Small crossovers (<1,500cc) accounted for 93% of volumes. Toyota recorded 220 units – CHR 191 units followed by Honda with 187 units – CR-V 116 and MG with 76 units. Range Rover recorded 20 units. Financing share was 34.8% lower than the normal monthly average.Hybrids recorded 496 units in August down from 624 units in July and significantly down from 3,786 units 12 months ago.
- Motor cars accounted for 417 units – Suzuki 246 units and Toyota 142 units. SUVs accounted for 78 units – Vezel 71 units.Vans recorded 720 units in August up from 614 units in July and down from 839 units 12 months ago. Suzuki is the market leader with 52% followed by Nissan with 21%.
- Mini vans with engines less than 1,000 cc accounted for 87% share. Financing share was 66.7%.3-wheelers recorded 1,039 units in August down from 1,118 units in July and 1,670 units 12 months ago. Bajaj continued to be the market leader with a 92.8% share. Financing share was 65.5%.2-wheelers recorded 25,508 units in August up from 24,739 units in July but down from 30,042 units 12 months ago.
- Scooters accounted for 17,746 units (70%) – Honda remaining the market leader with a 53.6% followed by TVS with 18.4% and Yamaha with 16.2%. In the overall market Honda has a 40.8% share followed by Yamaha with 19.8% , TVS with 17.9% and Bajaj with 10.9%. Electric 2-wheelers registered 58 units.
- Financing share was 78.2% in line with the normal monthly average.Pickup trucks recorded 79 units in August marginally up from 73 units in July and significantly down from 181 units 12 months ago.
- Mitsubishi claimed segment leadership in August recording 37 units indicative of an institutional order edging out Toyota who recorded only 30 units. Financing share was 74.7% in line with recent monthly averages.
- Mini trucks recorded 110 units in August down from 144 units in July and significantly down from 382 units 12 months ago. Tata continued to be the dominant player in this segment with a 87% share. Financing share was 88.2% in line with the normal monthly average.
- Light trucks recorded 169 units in August down from 210 units in July and significantly down from 285 units 12 months ago. Mahindra continued to be the segment leader with a 85% share. Financing share was 90.5% higher than the normal monthly average which is in the mid-80s.
- Medium trucks recorded 186 units in August higher than 166 units in July but significantly down from 368 units recorded 12 months ago. Brand new recorded 65 units, the balance 121 units were preowned. Isuzu continued to be the segment leader with a 62% share.
- Midsized tipper trucks recorded 20 units in the month up from 14 units the previous month. Financing share was 80.6% in line with the normal monthly average.Heavy trucks recorded 124 units in August slightly up from 121 units in July but significantly down from 222 units 12 months ago.
- Tipper trucks recorded 46 units, the highest number for the year and a significant increase over the previous month that recorded 26 units.Buses recorded 73 units in August slightly down from 83 units in July and significantly down from 189 units 12 months ago.
- Brand new accounted for 46 units, the balance 27 units were preowned. Lanka Ashok that has always been the dominant player has seen its numbers dwindle to a mere 14 units (2 years ago their registrations were 100). Financing share was 83.6% in line with the normal monthly average.
- Hand tractors recorded 134 units in August down from 158 units in July but up from 110 units 12 months ago. New Lion accounted for 68 units making it the dominant player in the category.
- Financing share was 50% in line with the more recent monthly average.Large tractors recorded 183 units in August up from 160 units in July but significantly down from 290 units 12 months.
- Tafe is the dominant market leader in this category with a share of 56%. Financing share was 83.1% in line with previous months.
- Ambulance recorded 20 units – entirely Mercedes Benz Sprinters which were given as a grant from the German government.