The year 2014 had not been too impressive for major automakers in the country. India has also been a major exporter of vehicles to the international market. Overseas shipments of passenger cars from India have reportedly declined by about 2.65% with 5,47,087 units in 2014. A change in pattern of product mix by carmakers has also been stated to be the reason behind lower shipments numbers. The two wheeler segment has indeed reported a better last year with growth of about 22.25% with 24,75,945 units as against 20,25,394 units noted in the year 2013.
Speaking more on the occasion, Sugato Sen, Deputy Director General, Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) said to PTI, “Passenger car exports were down last year as many companies changed their product baskets. Ford exported a lot of utility vehicles in place of cars last year. Likewise, Maruti also exported quite a bit of Ertiga's. We are doing well in Latin American countries and some parts of Africa as far as exports are concerned.”
Commenting on the two wheeler segment, “We can even do better than this. The quantum of exports is very less as compared to the domestic sales. In 2014, we produced 18.5 million two-wheelers, out of which around 16 million were sold in domestic market and only around 2.5 million were exported. We have been doing well in the two-wheeler segment for a couple of years now. Last year, Bajaj alone exported 1.56 million bikes, HMSI exported 1.9 lakh units, Hero 2 lakh units, TVS Motor Company around 3.12 lakh units and Yamaha shipped around 1.72 lakh units.”
