Two-wheeler to car sales: Record low ratio shows Covid impact on poor

Analysts fear that this time, it may take many years of double-digit growth for the industry to recoup the loss in sales volume

The recent trend in two-wheeler sales in the domestic market suggests that the economic slowdown and Covid-19 have taken a bigger economic toll on those at the lower-income ladder. Two-wheeler makers have reported a much sharper decline in their sales volume in the domestic market than car and sports utility vehicle (SUV) manufacturers and the corresponding ratio is now at an all-time low.

Domestic sales of two-wheelers when annualised -- based on the figures for the first five months of FY22 as provided by Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) -- would be down 21 per cent YoY, the lowest