This crisis has arisen just as demand in India's auto sector started seeing some sort of revival after the nationwide lockdown in March/April.
When Jawa Motorcycles owner Jiri Gerle sold the legendary but defunct brand to Classic Legends (part-owned by Mahindra & Mahindra), he had one request to the new owners: Please do bring the brand back to its homeland -- the Czech Republic.
Production at the maker of Innova and Fortuner has been crippled and it's operating at less than 10 per cent capacity.
While companies have not launched too many products in rural areas of late, easy financing has helped push up demand.
Battered by the Covid-19 pandemic, the maker of the Fortuner and Innova models is staring at a steep loss in the ongoing financial year.
The luxury car market leader will be producing the new-generation cars, sedans, SUVs, and AMG performance cars at one facility.
In September, sales of 125cc models - that include the Hero Glamour, Splendor, Pulsar 125, Victor Star City, among others - grew by a whopping 30 per cent over the same period a year ago to 305,615 units.
Few of these highly sought-after socialising and networking hubs are seeing much activity as regulars are missing in action.
Car deliveries during the nine-day period saw sharp year-on-year (double-digit increase for most automobile companies.
The maker of Pulsar and Discover reported a net profit of Rs 1,138.20 crore in the second quarter, compared to Rs 1,402.42 crore a year ago.
Goa, Kerala, Maldives and Dubai are among the popular destinations.
Cars priced above Rs 25 lakh account for 1 per cent in India's 3 million-car market and the share has remained unchanged over the last five years.
First off the block will be a new multi-purpose vehicle which is being co-developed with Toyota - Suzuki's alliance partner. The model will also wear a Toyota badge.
While airlines are seeing improved demand and industry-wide seat occupancy has increased to over 60%, it is road trips which are generating higher traction. Booking trends show that customers are also choosing homestays or four- star and five-star accommodations, as hygiene and safety is a priority now.
From watches and sunglasses to trekking/fitness bicycles, online shoppers seem ready to loosen purse strings.
Cars and two-wheelers attract 28% GST and a cess in the range of 3-22%, taking the effective tax rate to up to 50%.
Mahindra Holidays & Resorts plans to have close to 5,300 rooms in the next 3- 4 years from the current 3,700 rooms.
Good sowing of kharif crops, better minimum support prices, and fewer Covid-19 cases (in villages) will help the rural growth story to continue, says Maruti.
With the Thar, M&M has come full circle. In a market where every other vehicle has an SUV tag, the company plans to stick to its core competence of making rugged, true-blue, all-terrain SUVs, and marks a fresh beginning for the 75-year-old firm that enjoyed an indomitable position in the SUV segment till 2012, reports Shally Seth Mohile.
Pandemic-hit auto majors are likely to set aside these time-tested strategies for now, and, instead, focus on attractive finance schemes and an enhanced digital experience.
© 2025 Rediff.com - Investor Information - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances