Auto exports surge 30% in April

Led by the two-wheeler segment, the country's overall vehicles exports during April surged by 29.62% at 2,61,234 units, Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) today said.

Vehicle makers exported 2,01,543 units from the country in the corresponding period last year, SIAM said.

The continuation of robust exports is in contrast to the growth of domestic sales, which have slowed down to 22.80% in April from an overall 26.17% rise in FY11.

The surge in exports last month was mainly driven by the two-wheeler category. The segment witnessed an increase of 32.77% to 1,75,867 units from 1,32,458 units in the year-ago period, SIAM said.

Motorcycle exports rose 33.17% to 1,69,575 units from 1,27,336 units in April 2010 led by Bajaj Auto, which saw 43.32% jump at 1,26,264 units. TVS Motor exported 10,769 units of motorcycle in April 2011, up 16.34%.

On the contrary, passenger car exports from the country last month were up only 12.26% at 42,075 units as against 37,479 units in the same month last year.

The country's largest car exporter Hyundai Motor India's overseas sales fell 13.17% at 20,422 units. Maruti Suzuki exported 9,819 units last month, down 24.10%. Newcomer Nissan shipped 9,431 units during the month, while it had not begun exports in the same month last year.

Ford India registered nearly seven-fold jump in exports at 1,167 units. Tata Motors also posted an over two-fold increase in exports to 1,041 units in April this year.

In the commercial vehicle space, exports increased by 36.01% to 5,246 units in April 2011 from 3,857 units in April 2010, SIAM said.