Hatchbacks manage to shine despite demonetisation

(Clockwise from top left) Chevrolet Beat, Maruti Suzuki Celerio, Datsun GO and Maruti Suzuki WagonR. Photo: Chevrolet, Maruti Suzuki and Datsun official websites

Car manufacturers say that November was one of the worst months as passenger vehicles sales grew by a low 1.82% due to the decision taken by the government to demonetise old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes.

While many car segments did see a decline in sales, the B1 car segment managed to see a large 35.9% year on year growth in sales in November. Sales of segment grew to 33,755 units in November 2016 from 24,828 units in the same month last year.

The B1 segment consists of hatchback cars such as Chevrolet Beat, Datsun Go, Maruti Suzuki Celerio, Maruti Suzuki WagonR, Tata Indica Vista and Tata Tiago.

For instance, the Chevrolet Beat saw a large 21.3% rise in its YoY sales. It sold 944 units in November this year in comparison to 778 units in the same month last year. Similarly, Datsun Go saw a 23.9% growth in sales during November as it sold 612 units from 492 units in the same month last year.

Maruti Suzuki's Celerio has posted an even higher growth of 37.2% as sales grew to 9,543 units in November from 6,956 units in the corresponding month last year. Another car from the same company WagonR saw an 11.3% growth during the month as sales grew to 15,566 units during the month from 13,986 units from the same month last year.

The only decline was seen in Tata Indica Vista as sales declined by 58.6% during the month as sales slid to 1,082 units from 2,614 units in November last year. Newly launched Tata Tiago however saw a minor 1.6% month on month decline in sales.

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