Auto sales skid in April amid coronavirus curbs to contain surge

Passenger vehicle sales in April were less than in March, mainly due to partial lockdowns imposed across different states to contain Covid-19 surge.

Top carmakers expect the pandemic and curbs to impact customer movement and sales in the first quarter but said demand for personal mobility remains strong and is expected to strengthen after the second wave. The industry has an order backlog of several months.

The country’s largest carmaker, Maruti Suzuki sold 135,879 units last month, 7% less than 146,203 units it sold in March 2021. The company said it had recorded sales of 131,385 units in April 2019 and 163,434 units in April 2018.

Passenger vehicle makers had reported zero sales in April 2020 amid a nationwide lockdown. Automakers in India report wholesale dispatches from factories and not retail sales to customers.