HERO HONDA: Cashing in on the festive season, the market leader continued its dominance over the market selling a whooping 4,01,290 units in September 2009 as compared to 3,85,262 units last September registering a growth of 4.16 percent. This is the second month on the trot where Hero Honda has managed to register more than 4 lakh units in a single month. Splendor and Passion have been the most selling bikes from the stables. Hero Honda witnessed a grand 95 percent growth this quarter (July- September) over the same period last year in turn marking the highest quarterly earnings of Rs 597.14 crores in Profit after Tax (PAT). The company sold a record 11,83,235 units this quarter with the total turnover growing to highest ever of Rs. 4059.44 crore from Rs. 3202.05 crore recorded during the second quarter of the previous fiscal which marks a growth of a healthy 26.8 percent. The company launched the Fuel Injected sibling of older Karizma, the new Karizma ZMR PGMFI which has been received pretty well by the biking aficionado of India.
The company recently hosted the 2009 Indian Open Golf championship in Gurgaon. They will also sponsor the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup next year in Delhi. Hero Honda was awarded the “Most Preferred Two Wheeler Company” at the recent CNBC Awaaz Consumer Awards whereas Mr. Pawan Munjal, MD & CEO of the company, was awarded the “CNBC TV18 Man of The Year”. Hero Honda was adjudged the “Company of the Year” by Economic Times Corporate Excellence Awards 2009 along with the “Most Trusted Brand” 2009 (Two Wheelers category) by Brand Equity, “Trusted Brand” 2009 (Motorcycles) award by Reader’s Digest magazine and the Dun & Bradstreet, Rolta Corporate Awards. Hero Honda plans to concentrate more on the entry level segment and would revamp their existing 100ccs.
BAJAJ AUTO: Rising from the ashes, Bajaj appears to be on a song. This month saw Bajaj at its best growing 14 percent in sales of two wheelers and three wheelers. Bajaj sold 2,49,795 two wheelers as against 2,18,494 units sold during the same month last year. Further dividing the figures, Bajaj achieved a 15 percent growth in motorcycle sales over the last September. The newly launched 100cc Discover DTS-Si is doing wonders for the company’s fortunes and sold a whooping 71000 units this month whereas its bigger sibling Discover 135 managed to sell 23000 units. Bajaj also managed to sell 56000 Pulsars which includes the revamped 2009 model Pulsar 150, Pulsar 180 and “The Fastest Indian” Pulsar 220 DTSi. According to Bajaj, 60 percent of the companies motorcycles sold belong to the more profitable category of “Bigger and Sportier” Pulsar and Discover flagship brands. Adding to the positive news, Bajaj managed to best its figures of highest exports at 80,681 units which were 18 percent more than the 68,572 units exported in September 2008. The quarter also saw Bajaj beat its own records. For more info please click (https://bikeadvice.in/bajaj-registers-quarter/)
TVS MOTORS: Chennai based TVS Motors also recorded 4 percent profit in September 2009 selling a total of 1,42,553 units against 1,37,246 units sold during the same time last year. Domestic sales registered an impressive 11 percent growth at 1,32,281 units as compared to the 1,19,017 units sold in September 2008. Scooters also recorded an impressive 11 percent growth registering sales of 29,984 units against 27,108 units sold in September 2008. However, motorcycle sales saw a decline and stood at 60,718 units compared to 71,278 units sold in September 08. Exports also continue to be affected with sales of 10,272 units of total 2 wheelers against 16,201 sold during the same month last year.
TVS has been posting continuous growth for the past six months in a row after the black clouds of downturn. The company posted a healthy growth of 9.25 percent in the second quarter (July to September) registering total revenues of Rs 1129.9 crore over 1034.2 crore recorded during the second quarter of the last fiscal. Profit after Tax (PAT) for this quarter stood at Rs 24.6 crore against Rs 10.4 crore achieved in the corresponding period of the last year. During the second quarter TVS posted total sales of 1,55,492 motorcycles which were lower than 1,80,964 units sold during the second quarter of previous year. Scooters recorded a 12 percent increase selling 86,389 units against 76,853 in the previous year’s second quarter. Exports have consistently been showing negative trend and continue to be affected this quarter as well. Total exports stood at 35,080 units against 52,249 in the corresponding quarter previous year.
The infamous patent dispute between TVS Motors and Bajaj Auto has also been ruled in favor of TVS on 16th September by the Supreme Court of India and after obtaining all the necessary certifications TVS plans to commence selling the twin spark plug 125cc bike Flame. During this quarter, TVS Scooty brand also won accolades for the “The Scooty Institute” which has trained over 3.9 lakh women to ride a Scooter. TVS plans to launch a new bike in the executive segment and a scooter probably based on the same Scooty platform.
YAMAHA: The Japanese technology major was the biggest gainer in India this month. The sales rose a massive 160 percent at 26,394 units majorly contributed by the FZ series of bikes. Fazer which is priced at a premium is also a hit in the market. Previous September Yamaha managed to sell 10,142 units only. With the introduction of YZF R15 and the FZ series, Yamaha has been on a roll, dishing out profits month after month. If rumors are to be believed Yamaha plans to introduce two new bikes very soon but the company officials are tight lipped about it. Customers have gladly accepted all the new products launched by the company which has encouraged Yamaha to go for better technology laden products. September also saw the launch of the massive and huge monster VMAX which costs 20 lakh Indian rupees. The company is expanding its dealer base in India taking the total to 550 all across India. Yamaha also launched the “Win – Win” campaign to boost sales which offers gifts to all customers who visit the company showrooms.
SUZUKI: SMIL (Suzuki Motorcycles India Limited), the youngest player in India also witnessed a fantastic month registering a profit of 25.61 percent. The company sold 15,719 units this month against the 12,514 units sold during the same month previous year. The major contributor to the tally was the 150cc premium bike GS150R which has many firsts in India. Access 125 also received a good response in the scooter segment. Suzuki is looking at enhancing their penetration in the Indian market and are working at expanding the dealer base all across India rapidly before they set all guns blazing.
– Saad Khan
