Toyota Kirloskar's September Sales Fall 9% Even as Rivals Post Festive Gains

Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) sold 28,218 vehicles in India in September, comprising 25,027 units domestically and 3,191 exported, the company said on Wednesday. The figure marks a roughly 9 per cent decline from the 31,091 units TKM sold in September last year, according to the company's own monthly disclosures, even as several larger rivals reported double-digit growth over the same period.

The contrast was stark. Maruti Suzuki's domestic passenger vehicle sales rose nearly 37 per cent in September, Hyundai Motor India posted its best-ever month with growth of almost 11 per cent, and Tata Motors and Mahindra & Mahindra both grew by around 14-15 per cent. Toyota was the only major manufacturer among this group to post a year-on-year decline for the month.

TKM's cumulative sales for the January-September period stood at 2,94,914 units, up 8 per cent from 2,72,824 units a year earlier, with domestic volumes rising 9 per cent to 2,69,619 units. That growth rate, however, has been narrowing steadily through the year, from 17 per cent at the end of May to 13 per cent in July and 10 per cent in August, as last year's high base and softer recent months weigh on the comparison.

Commenting on the results, Sabari Manohar, Executive Vice President for sales, service and used cars at TKM, said September had "witnessed continued customer interest across segments," adding that the company remained focused on "quality, durability and reliability" as it entered the festive season.

Part of the shortfall appears tied to timing. Navratri fell on 22 September last year, pulling early festive buying into that month, whereas this year's celebrations begin only on 11 October, pushing much of the seasonal demand into the following quarter. Supplies of Maruti-built, Toyota-badged models such as the Glanza and Urban Cruiser Taisor also fell sharply in September, coinciding with preparations for a facelifted Glanza due on 14 October, which may have constrained Toyota's showroom stock.