PANJIM: The Indian auto industry is one of the largest in the world. The industry accounts for 7.1 per cent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Domestic sales of passenger vehicles grew by 8.13 per cent in April-January 2016 over the same period last year. Within the passenger vehicles, passenger cars rose by 10.18 per cent, during April-January 2016 over April-January 2015. The domestic sales of commercial vehicles increased by 9.43 per cent in April-January 2016 over the same period last year. Sales of Medium & Heavy Commercial Vehicles (M&HCVs) increased at 30.19 per cent. However in Goa the situation is slightly different.
Maruti is the undisputed king in terms of number of cars sold every month. According to its dealer Chowgule Industries Pvt Ltd, they are able to sell approximately 500 odd cars every month. Industry sources maintain that Goa is a 1,200 cars a month market. Given the depressed state of the economy, it would be prudent to ask if these numbers are enjoyed by brands with cars costing in excess of Rs 10 lakh and under Rs 25 lakh.
Darpan Shirodkar of Skoda said “The sales in this category were slow. The new model called the new Superb priced between Rs 24 and Rs 30 lakh depending on the variant had evoked much interest but was moving one unit a month.” 3 Octavia are sold every month, though he claimed they sold around 45 cars a month which was in sync with the target given by the company. Business he said the market was tight given the economic scenario in the State following the ban on mining. He said the sale of luxurious cars were at an all time high when the mining boom was on. Darpan however believed that the business would be good during the festival season as was always the case every year.
For French carmaker Renault, the Duster has been a veritable gold mine. The company is selling approximately 30 plus car an every month a substantial rise from the 10 to 12 cars every month in the past. Renault Lodgy was popular and there was interest in the lower priced variants priced under Rs 10 lakh. Earlier he said it was not a problem to sell cars priced over Rs 20 lakh but now it was a tough ask. The American car maker Ford has much to thank the Eco Sport priced between Rs 6 and 10 lakh depending on the variant. There was hardly any competition and the features present made it a favorite. Tushar Mandrekar, assistant sales manager said they were selling around 20 a month and the premium Endeavour priced between Rs 29 and 34 lakh had already sold four since its launch in January. Ford he said was about stability and comfort zone rather than mileage.
A source in the industry said “the Goan consumer looks for quality and is also obsessed with the price. When it was raining cash during the mining boom, a class of people did not really mind the costs but now even the rich do.”
It can be safely said that Honda generates pretty good numbers in Goa every month. Sudesh Dhargalkar the manager said the market in Goa was shifting towards urban SUV’s. This could be witnessed by the sales of Creta, Duster, EcoSport. He said atleast 40% of the sales on Honda could be attributed to the Honda Citi and they were regularly touching 120 on a good month and on really good month even 150. They were he said selling around 400- 500 cars in the price range between 10 lakh and 22 lakh.
The fastest moving MUV in the market undoubtedly is the Innova which still moves comfortable for the dealer. The stop on the issuance of new taxi permits has hit the sale of this car a bit but he expects numbers to keep coming. With a new model expected to be launched next month according to market sources, Toyota could go laughing all the way to the bank. Around 4 to 5 Fortuners were sold in the Goan market every month and around 40 to 50 Innovas every month according to Sanjay Padmekar, GM at the dealership.
It is tough times for everyone undoubtedly and for automobile manufacturers and dealers the sky may not be entirely grey but it is certainly cloudy. It may take a while before the skies clear up till then they will have to grin and bear it.
