Having faced a considerable drop in volumes after the government demonetisation drive in November last year, two wheeler manufacturers are back to redeeming positive volumes as the market has found stability. While was still a slow month for most bike makers in the country, February has brought some respite. Royal Enfield and Honda turned out to be the flag bearers of positive sales, growing by 19 per cent and 5 per cent respectively in domestic sales. The other manufactuers too have followed suit. Here's how each bike maker fared in February 2017.
Royal Enfield
Royal Enfield Himalayan
Going from strength to strength, Royal Enfield posted a growth of 19 per cent in domestic sales for the month of the February, 2017, selling 56,737 units as compared to 47,567 units in February, 2016. Coming to exports, the company exported 1,702 units in February, 2017 as compared to 1,589 units in the same month last year, registering a growth of 7 per cent. Royal Enfield was one of the very few two-wheeler manufacturers who were untouched by the negative effects of demonetisation and were still able to post positive numbers over the last three months. In the last few months, Royal Enfield organised the UNROAD Goa tour, where the participants took the less trodden path and discovered some pristine riding trails in the hills and forests of Goa. Also, the company has begun taking registrations for its upcoming Tour of Nepal as well.
Royal Enfield sales figures for February, 2017
| Vehicle sales | February | YTD | ||||
| 2017 | 2016 | Growth | 2016-17 | 2015-16 | Growth | |
| Domestic | 56,737 | 47,567 | 19% | 5,92,558 | 4,48,732 | 32% |
| Exports | 1,702 | 1,589 | 7% | 13,819 | 8,102 | 71% |
| Total Business | 58,439 | 49,156 | 19% | 6,06,377 | 4,56,834 | 33% |
Bajaj V12
Even with respect to cumulative sales for the 2017 financial year, Bajaj has grown by 7 per cent since last April with a total of 18,49,942 units sold. The company exports though have dropped by 18 per cent during the same period. For commercial vehicles, Bajaj Auto's sales dropped by a healthy 26 per cent to 16,822 units in February 2017, while exports were down by 21 per cent at 11,733 units.
Honda Motorcycle And Scooter India
2017 Honda Activa 125
The country's second largest two wheeler seller, Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) was one of the few companies to have minimal effect of demonetisation and sales continue to surge forward for the Japanese auto giant. February saw sales grow for Honda for the fourth consecutive month after demonetisation. Domestic sales grew to 3,69,865 units in February 2017, up by 5 per cent, as compared to the 3,51,401 units sold February last year. Honda cumulative sales for domestic and exports grew by 13 per cent in this financial year from April 2016, which is 2.5 times more than the industry growth of 5 per cent, the company said in a statement. Honda's exports also jumped by 39 per cent in FY2017 to 2.56 lakh units. Meanwhile, the overall industry exports have dropped by 8 per cent during the same period.
Speaking on the positive sales, HMSI - Senior Vice President - Sales and Marketing, Yadvinder Singh Guleria said, "With the continued momentum of recovery post demonetisation, Honda has emerged as the first choice of Indian 2Wheeler customers. This recovery period has been favourable for Honda, as we continue to grow with a 1.4% increase in domestic market share of 27.2%."
February 2017 also saw Honda introduce the BS IV compliant CB Shine and CB Shine SP in the country. The Honda Shine also celebrated its 50 lakh sales milestone during the month. The company's highly popular Activa 125 was also updated for 2017 with BS IV engine, AHO and DRLs, while the its dealerships expanded to 7 new outlets across the country.
Adding further, Guleria said, "For Honda, our market strategy is well placed and from today i.e 1st March 2017, we have started production of only BS IV models at all of our 4 plants. The customers will be delighted with the complete new BS-IV compliant line-up with AHO in the coming days."
