Sri Lanka vehicle registrations slightly down in July 2020

August, 19, 2020

According to J. B. Securities monthly review, vehicle registrations in July were slightly down from June but remain at healthy levels indicative of existing inventory driving sales.

“It is likely that this momentum slows in August due to stockouts in certain categories,” J. B. Securities stated in its latest review.

Motor car registrations recorded 1,712 units in July down from 2,032 units the previous month and 2,584 units 12 months ago.

Brand new car registrations recorded 272 units in July down from 316 units the previous month and 299 units 12 months ago. Small cars (<1,000 cc) accounted for a 78.7% share followed by medium size cars with a 18.4% share and larger cars with a 2.9% share. Maruti and Zotye were the category leaders with 67 and 66 units respectively followed by Perodua. Financing share was 50.4%.

Preowned motor car registrations recorded 1,440 units in July lower than 1,716 units the previous month and 2,285 units 12 months ago. Small cars claimed an 85% share followed by Medium cars with a 14% share. Toyota was the category leader accounting for 971 units (67.4% share) – Vitz 677, Premio 91 followed by Suzuki with 195 units – Alto 82, Wagon R 55. Financing share was 52.8%.

Premium motor cars recorded 106 units in July up from 90 units the previous month and 92 units 12 months ago. In the brand-new segment Mercedes Benz accounted for 31 units – C class 12, E class 5, S class 1 followed by Audi with 10 units – A5 6. The preowned category accounted for 61 units, Mercedes Benz 31 units – C class 16 units, BMW 12 units, Audi 18 units – A1 13.

Electric cars registrations recorded a mere 3 units in July like 3 units the previous month but down from 5 units 12 months ago.

Van registrations recorded 705 units in July lower than 763 units the previous month but higher than 614 units 12 months ago. Mini vans (< 1,000cc) made up the bulk of registrations accounting for 613 units, the balance 92 units were mid-size. Suzuki accounted for 383 units followed jointly by Nissan with 114 units and Toyota with 112 units. Financing share was 63.8% in line with the normal monthly average.

SUV registrations recorded 736 units in July down from 800 units the previous month and 671 units 12 months ago. Brand new units recorded 254 units, preowned accounted for the balance 482 units. Crossovers accounted for 685 units; the balance 26 units were SUVs. Toyota was the brand leader accounting for 377 units – Raize 215, C-HR 140 followed distantly by Mitsubishi and Honda with 56 and 55 units each respectively. Financing share was 42.7% in line with the normal monthly average.

Hybrid registrations recorded 163 units in July down from 182 unit the previous month and significantly down from 624 units. Motor cars recorded 143 units of which only 2 were new, the balance 141 units were preowned. Suzuki accounted for 81 units – Wagon R 58, Toyota 38 units – Axio 34 units and Honda 10 units. SUVs recorded 20 units – Honda Vezel accounted for 14 units.

3-wheeler registrations recorded 635 units in July down from 1,098 units the previous month and 1,118 units 12 months ago. Bajaj continued to be dominant with a 94.2% share.  Financing share was 66.6% in line with the normal monthly average.

2-wheeler registrations recorded 22,419 units in July down from 25,162 units a month ago and 24,739 units 12 months ago. Honda is the market leader with a 34.8% share followed by TVS in second place in July with a 21.6% share unseating Yamaha with a 18.4% share. The scooter category recorded 15,047 units – Honda with a dominant 46.9% share followed by TVS with 26.9% and Yamaha with 13.6%. Motor bikes recorded 6,982 units – Bajaj and Yamaha with an equal 29% share followed by Honda and TVS each with a 9% share. Electric bikes recorded 27 units. Financing share was 64.9% in line with the last month but down from the normal monthly level of 75%.

Pickup trucks recorded 140 units in July down from 128 units the previous month but up from 73 units 12 months ago. Brand new accounted for 106 units, the balance 34 units were preowned – an emerging trend in the pickup segment especially on Toyota Hilux models. Financing share was 57.9%,  higher than the recent monthly figures but in line with 12 months ago.

Mini trucks recorded 21 units in July, an all-time low significantly lower than 91 units in the previous month and 144 units 12 months ago. Brand new was a mere 5 units, the balance 16 units were preowned. Tata Ace or Dimo Batta the mainstay of this category recorded a mere 4 units indicative of a stockout at the distributor. Financing share was 66.7%.

Light trucks recorded 212 units in July slightly down from 252 units the previous month and similar to 210 units 12 months ago. Brand new recorded 184 units, preowned were 28 units. Mahindra retained its dominance accounting for 173 units (94% share). Financing share was 85.4% in line with the normal monthly average.

Medium trucks recorded 314 units in July slightly up from 293 units the previous month and significantly up from 166 units 12 months ago. Brand new recorded 144 units, the balance 170 units were preowned. Isuzu accounted for 213 units (68% share). Financing share was 79.9% in line with the normal monthly average.

Heavy trucks recorded 132 units in July significantly higher than 83 units recorded the previous month and slightly higher than 121 units recorded 12 months ago. Brand new recorded 129 units, the balance 3 were preowned. Lanka Ashok Leyland accounted for 76 units (58.9% share) followed by Tata with 33 units. Tippers accounted for 28 units. Financings share was 72.7% in line with the normal monthly average.

Buses recorded 41 units in July up from 28 units the previous month but down from 83 units 12 months ago. Brand new accounted for 30 units, the balance 11 units were preowned. Financing share was 70.7% in line with normal monthly average.

Hand tractors recorded 266 units in July significantly up from 151 units the previous month and 158 units 12 months ago. Brand new accounted for 238 units, the balance 28 units were preowned. New Lion was the market leader in the month accounting for 104 units followed by Farm Master accounting for 77 units. Financing share was 47.4%.

Large tractors recorded 393 units in July marginally up from 384 units the previous month and significantly up from 160 units 12 months ago. Brand new made up the bulk of units accounting for 387 units, preowned made up the balance 6 units. Tafe is the market leader recording 184 units (47%). Financing share was 76.6%.