Besides, Toyota and MG Motor also
reported nil sales as they suspended operations even before the imposition of
lockdown on March 25 to check the spread of coronavirus.
In two-wheeler segment, niche
bike maker Royal Enfield said it had zero sales in the domestic market but
exported a total of 91 units last month.
India's
top carmakers, including Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai, on Friday reported zero
monthly domestic sales for the first time ever in April after the nationwide
lockdown halted output and shut sales network.
Maruti
Suzuki India, Hyundai Motor India Ltd (HMIL), Mahindra & Mahindra
(M&M), Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) and MG Motor India reported nil sales
as they suspended operations even before the imposition of lockdown on March 25
to check the spread of coronavirus.
Maruti Suzuki, which
produces more than half of the cars running on Indian roads, said it did not
sell any vehicle in the domestic market in April.
It, however, exported 632
vehicles after Mundra port in Gujarat resumed operations, MSI said in a
statement.
Similarly, HMIL said it did
not sell any vehicle last month in the domestic market due to suspension of
manufacturing activities at its Chennai plant.
The company, however,
exported 1,341 units last month.
The overseas dispatches
took place by adhering to all guidelines set by the government and export
regulating authorities while ensuring adequate safety and protection for
everyone, it added.
Homegrown automaker M&M
also reported zero sales of passenger and commercial vehicles in the domestic
market. It, however, dispatched 733 vehicles to overseas markets during the
last month.
"We are hopeful that
our dealerships will open soon and have stocks to cover the first few weeks of
sale," M&M chief executive officer, automotive division, Veejay Nakra
said.
Similarly, TKM said the
re-start of the entire value chain cycle and its restoration will be gradual as
the industry is faced with varied challenges like low consumer sentiments,
rebuilding of disrupted supply chains and return of workforce.
"As with many other
sectors, with the closure of dealerships and manufacturing, the operation of
the automotive value chain has come to a grinding halt," TKM senior vice
president (sales and marketing) Naveen Soni said in a statement.
These are critical times
and the company was aware that there would be no wholesales in the month of
April 2020, he added.
"As we prepare for a
restart, we are working closely with our dealer partners to offer them the best
support to re-stimulate demand in a safe and healthy atmosphere," Soni
said.
MG Motor India said it has
resumed operations at its Halol facility in the last week of April and now
hopes that the production will ramp up in the month of May.
In two-wheeler segment,
niche bike maker Royal Enfield said it had zero sales in the domestic market
but exported a total of 91 units last month.
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