India’s domestic car sales growth rises at slowest rate in two years in May

09 Jun 2011 Evaluate

Domestic car sales in India expanded at the slowest pace in 24 months, posting a tepid growth of 7% to 1,58,817 units in the month of May against the 30 percent jump in the same month last year, according to the data released by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM). Sales of Automobile surged 30% in the financial year ended March 31, the fastest since 1999-2000, driven by a rapidly increasing aspirational middle class, easier availability of low-cost loans, introduction of new models and rising incomes in an expanding economy.

However, the demand for new vehicles has taken a hit in the recent past because of higher interest rates, non-availability of finance, rising fuel prices and higher prices of vehicles. The price of fuel was raised by a record 8.6% in May. The rampant inflation remained the biggest dampener as it compelled Reserve Bank of India to hike interest rates nine times since March last year.

The data released by SIAM also showed that motorcycle sales in the world's second-fastest growing auto market grew by 14.33% during the May month to 8,29,255 units from 7,25,311 units in the corresponding month last year. Total two-wheeler sales increased by 14.49% last month to 10,72,287 units from 9,36,555 units in May, 2010.

Sales of commercial vehicles jumped by 16.16% to 56,314 units from 48,479 units in the year-ago period while total sales of vehicles across categories registered a growth of 13.40% to 13,70,786 units in May, as against 12,08,820 units in the same month last year, according to SIAM.

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