COVID-19 impact: Vehicle sales down by 65 pc in May

Overall 4,42,013 non-commercial vehicles were sold In May 2021, down by 65.21 per cent against 12,70,458 units in April. Export was also down from 5,20,289 units in April to 4,35,471 units in May.

Passenger vehicles segment witnessed 66.35 per cent decline with 88,045 units sold in May. Within the segment car sales was down by 70.58 per cent to 41,536 units. Total 45,158 utility vehicles and 1,351 vans were sold with a drop of 58.52 per cent and 88.32 per cent respectively.

Two-wheelers sales figure in May stood at 3,52,717 units, down by 64.55 per cent against 9,95,097 units in April. scooters sales plummeted by 83.26 per cent to 50,294 units, motorcycles sales by 55.79 per cent to 2,95.257 units, moped sales declined by 72.53 per cent to 7,135 units and electric vehicles sales by 96.21 per cent to 31 units.

Three-wheelers category witnessed de-growth of 90.89 per cent to 1,251 units.

Commenting on May 2021 data Rajesh Menon, Director General, SIAM said, "Most part of May was under lock-down in many states thus impacting overall sales and production. Many members has shut down their manufacturing plants to divert oxygen from industrial use for medical purposes. Since, both May 2020 and May 2021 were abnormal month because of the COVID-19 situation and lock-downs, comparison of these two months holds no meaning."