Semiconductor shortages continued to plague the automobile sector with passenger vehicle retail sales declining 10 per cent year-on-year in January 2022.

Passenger vehicle sales dropped to 258,329 units in January this year, down 10.12 per cent from 287,424 units in January 2021, Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA) said.

“In spite of good demand, passenger vehicles continue to face the brunt of semiconductor shortage, resulting in the absence of a healthy inventory,” FADA president Vinkesh Gulati said in a statement.

Two-wheeler sales in January this year declined 13.44 per cent to 10,17,785 units compared with 11,75,832 units in January 2021.

Gulati said rural distress coupled with price rise and the Omicron wave led to a drop in the sales in this segment. Tractor sales stood at 55,421 units last month, down 9.86 per cent from 61,485 units in January 2021.

Commercial vehicle sales, however, witnessed a growth of 20.52 per cent in January this year at 67,763 units against 56,227 units in January 2021.

“With the revival in the economy, the commercial vehicle segment continues to show year-on-year growth, especially in the HCV category. With increased infrastructure spending by the central
as well as state governments, the overall CV segment remains in momentum,” Gulati noted.

Three-wheeler retail sales also grew 29.8 per cent to 40,449 units in January 2022 compared with 31,162 units a year ago.

Baleno new model

Maruti Suzuki India (MSI) on Monday said it has commenced bookings for the new version of its premium hatchback Baleno, which it plans to launch later this month.
Customers can book the new Baleno with a payment of Rs 11,000, the auto major said.