Challenging Times?

The CV industry in India is facing challenging times, and this is not the first time it has so happened.

- Bhushan Mhapralkar

CV market leader and full-range player, Tata Motors witnessed a three-per cent drop in CV sales in February 2019. The company sold 57,221 units in February 2019 as against 58,993 units sold in February 2018. The cumulative sales of the company in the domestic market (April 2018 -February 2019) marked a growth of 18 per cent with 610,108 units as compared to 517,198 units sold during the corresponding period last fiscal. Ashok Leyland saw a one-per cent growth in CV sales in February 2019. It sold 11,117 M&HCV trucks, down (-) four-per cent, as compared to 11,577 units in February 2018. The CV major sold 1504 medium and heavy passenger commercial vehicles in February 2019, up 16 per cent in comparison to 1297 units sold in February 2018. Ashok Leyland sold 4731 LCVs in February 2019, recording a growth of nine-per cent, as compared to 4339 units sold in February 2018. VE Commercial Vehicles India recorded sales of 6428 units in February 2019 as compared to 6889 units in February 2018, recording a decline of 6.7 per cent. The CV maker sold 6268 units of the Eicher brand and 160 units of Volvo brand. The Eicher branded trucks and buses, industry sources claim, have recorded sales of 6268 units in February 2019 as compared to 6796 units in February 2018, representing a decline of 7.8 per cent. Interestingly, Volvo Trucks recorded sales of 160 units in February 2019 as compared to 93 units in February 2018, representing a growth of 72 per cent.