Hero MotoCorp retails over 14-lakh units of two-wheelers during the festive period
Hero MotoCorp, the world's largest two-wheeler manufacturer, has said that riding on robust customer demand for its range of products it has sold more than 14 lakh units of motorcycles and scooters, in retail sales during the festive season. It added, it has also continued to gain market share and strengthen its leadership in the segment.
Despite the severe disruptions on account of the COVID-19 this year, the good retail off-take during the 32-day festival period - spread between the first day of Navratra and the concluding day after Bhai Duj – was 98% of the festive season volumes sold by the Company in the previous year (2019) and 103% compared to the same period in 2018.
Hero MotoCorp added, this demand has also reduced the vehicle stocks at its dealerships to less than four weeks, which is lowest ever post-festive inventory.
The Company's festival season retails were driven by the strong performance of its popular models across segments, including the 100cc Splendor+ and HF Deluxe, 125cc motorcycles Glamour and Super Splendor and the Xtreme 160R and the XPulse range in the premium segment. The Glamour in its BS-VI avatar continues to gain volumes in new markets. The festive season also witnessed strong customer preference for Destini and Pleasure scooters, resulting in high double-digit growth for the two models.
Hero MotoCorp has continued to consolidate its market share in the domestic two-wheeler market since the resumption of plant operations and retail sales in early May. Hero MotoCorp's market share has grown by more than 500 bps in the month of October 2020.
It said, the robust planning and preparations done by the entire Hero ecosystem including the dealer partners, the Company has been leading the revival of the domestic two-wheeler industry over the past several months despite the severe disruptions in the supply chain of components, plant operations and customer touchpoints in the market place.
Throughout the period since reopening of customer touchpoints, Hero MotoCorp has put in place strict protocols and measures to ensure the safety and wellbeing of multiple stakeholder groups, including the employees, their families, customers and all associates.
Hopes related to the development of COVID-19 Vaccine
The company believes that the news on the rapid development of Covid-19 vaccines is likely to enable a faster rebound of the global economy in the coming months. The positive forecast by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) projecting close to double-digit growth for the Indian economy in FY'22 is likely to boost customer sentiments in general and the two-wheeler sector in particular. The slew of recent measures announced by the Government should also help accelerate recovery and aid core sectors to rebound fast.