New vehicle sales in India rose 3.5 percent in the fiscal year ended March 31, the Indian Society of Automobile Manufacturers reported last month. But it took a healthy increase in demand for scooters to offset declines in sales of other types of vehicles.
Sales of new two-wheelers grew 7.3 percent in 2013-2014. The society has not yet reported numerical totals for the recently completed year, but 13.8 million new two-wheelers were sold in 2012-2013. Motorcycle sales rose just 3.9 percent in 2013-2014, and moped sales actually declined 8.4 percent, but scooter sales rose a whopping 23.2 percent.
Sales of passenger vehicles, which numbered 2.7 million in 2012-2013, fell 6.1 percent in 2013-2014. That included drops of 4.7 percent for passenger cars, 5 percent for utility vehicles and 19.6 percent for vans.
Commercial vehicle sales fell 20.2 percent in the year completed March 31, from 793,150 in 2012-2013.Sales of medium and heavy commercial vehicles slid 25.3 percent, while sales of light commercial vehicles were off by 17.6 percent.
Demand for new three-wheelers dipped 10.9 percent, from 538,291 in 2012-2013. Sales of three-wheelers used to move passengers dropped 12.7 percent, while those used for goods were off by 2.5 percent.
Engine oils for commercial vehicles are the largest part of Indias automotive lubricant segment, followed by motorcycle oils and then engine oils for passenger vehicles.