Maruti Suzuki’s Production Improves Amid Festive Season

The prolonged slowdown has been denting production of some of the leading carmakers in India, but the month of September has shown some signs of improvement. Maruti Suzuki in September 2019 has witnessed a lesser de-growth in sales compared to what it recorded in the previous month and that has reflected in production figures as well. Despite a two-day plant shutdown (September 7 and September 9), Maruti Suzuki has recorded a 17.37 percent decline in production last month which is better than 33.67 percent slump it witnessed in August 2019.

In September 2019, Maruti Suzuki rolled out 130,264 units of passenger vehicles compared to 157,659 units in the same month a year ago, which is a year-on-year decline of 17.37 percent. However, the company had manufactured 110,214 units in August 2019 compared to 166,161 units in the same month last year, witnessing a YoY production decline of 33.67 percent. The improvement is also possible on the anticipation of better festive season sales. The company has recorded 24.8 percent YoY sales decline selling 1,22,640 units in September 2019 including 112,500 units in the domestic market and 2,952 units of domestic OEM sales whereas 7,188 units were exported. However, in August 2019 it witnessed a year-on-year sales decline of 34 percent.

Maruti Suzuki is already providing attractive discounts across its product range. The company has also slashed prices by ₹ 5000 on select models like the Alto 800, Alto K10, Swift Diesel, Celerio, Baleno Diesel, Ignis, Dzire Diesel, Tour S Diesel, Vitara Brezza and S-Cross. Interestingly, the compact vehicle segment where almost all products underwent a price cut has seen the least production cut at 4.2 percent with a total of 75,264 units being rolled out as compared to 78,589 units. It includes products like the Swift, Dzire, Ignis, Baleno Celerio and the new WagonR. The company is offering discounts of up to ₹ 1.01 lakh on the Vitara Brezza subcompact SUV and production has also improved in the UV segment. The UV segment witnessed a de-growth of 17.05 percent at 18,435 units while the mini segment (including the recently launched S-Presso) recorded a de-growth of 37.61 percent manufacturing 23,073 units. The company rolled out 2350 units of the Ciaz mid-size sedan, down by 50.41 percent and the Vans segment recorded a de-growth of 26.24 percent at 11,142 units.