Sri Lanka vehicle registrations pick-up in January

(FASTNEWS | COLOMBO) – According to J. B. Securities monthly review, Sri Lanka vehicle registrations picked up in January 2020, in comparison to December 2019 in most categories.

Total car registrations recorded 2,536 units (N 349, P 2,187) in Jan up from 2,057 units in Dec but down from 3,147 units 12 months ago.

New car registrations recorded 349 units in Jan up from 244 units in Dec but down from 429 units 12 months ago. Suzuki claimed a 30.7% share followed by Perodua with a 11.7% share. Financing share was 42.4% lower than the normal monthly average of 50%.

Preowned car registrations recorded 2,187 units, 21% up from 1,813 units recorded the previous month but significantly down from 2,718 units recorded 12 months ago. Toyota dominates this category with a 70.6% share (Vitz 1,015, Premio 234, Axio 106) followed by Suzuki with a 12% share (Wagon R 94, Alto 81). Financing share was 46.9% in line with the normal monthly average.

Premium brand car registrations recorded 155 units (N 65, P 90) in Jan significantly up from 101 units the previous month and 113 units 12 months ago. Mercedes Benz was the category leader recording 94 units (N 45, P 49) – C class 48 units (N 21, P 27), E class 13 units (N 12, P 1) followed by BMW recording 29 units (N 3, P 26) and Audi recording 27 units (N 13, P 15) – A1 9 units, A3 5 units.

Electric car registrations recorded 3 units in Jan like the previous month but down from 4 units 12 months ago. There was one brand new Jaguar and 2 preowned BMWs.

SUV registrations recorded 787 units (N 264, P 523) in Jan, 21% up from 650 units recorded the previous month and 735 units 12 months ago. Small Crossovers (<1,500 cc) accounted for 727 units (92%). Toyota was the segment leader with a 45.4% share (C-HR 234) followed by Honda with a 16% share (CR-V 85, Vezel 40). Financing share was 37.4% in line with the normal monthly average.

Hybrid vehicle registrations recorded 320 units (N 10, P 310) in Jan marginally up from 317 units the previous month but significantly down from 1,232 units 12 months ago. Suzuki is the segment leader with a 41.6% share followed by Toyota with a 33.8% share. The car segment recorded 267 units (N 8, P 259) with Suzuki registering 133 units followed by Toyota with 107 units. The SUV segment recorded 53 units (N 2, P 51) – Honda with 40 units followed by Land Rover with 9 units.

Van registrations recorded 911 units (N 3, P 908) in Jan significantly up from 619 units the previous month and 12 months ago. Suzuki was the segment leader with a 51.6% share followed by Nissan with 17.9%. Financing share was 65.8%.

3-wheeler registrations recorded 1,612 units (N 1,612, P 0) in Jan almost double the 882 units recorded the previous month but marginally down from 1,706 units recorded 12 months ago. Bajaj had absolute domination of the segment accounting for a 97.8% share. Financing share was 64.6% marginally down from the normal monthly average of 70%.

2-wheeler registrations recorded 26,588 units (N 26,210, P 378) in Jan almost 36% higher than 19,432 units recorded the previous month but lower than 28,114 units recorded 12 months ago. The figure recorded during Jan is significantly higher than the run rate in the last 6 months. Honda is the segment leader with a 39.5% share followed by Yamaha with a 21.3% share. Financing share was 75.3% in line with the normal monthly average.

The scooter category recorded 18,287 units (N 18,287, P 0) in Jan (highest number in 18 months), 40% higher than 13,029 units recorded in the previous month and marginally up from 18,206 units recorded 12 months ago. Honda was the category leader with a 52.6% share followed by TVS with a 19.7% share. TVS recorded 3,602 units the highest on record for them and 60% higher than their previous month figure helped by strong demand for their newly introduced NTORQ race edition scooter.

The motorcycle category recorded 8,206 units (N 7,882, P 378) in Jan, 30% higher than 6,375 units recorded the previous month but down from 9,824 units recorded 12 months ago. Bajaj is the category leader with a 36.8% share followed by Yamaha with a 30.3% share.

Electric bikes recorded 41 units in Jan up from 28 units in Dec but down from 84 units 12 months ago.

Pickup trucks recorded 59 units (N 37, P 22) in Jan down from 70 units in Dec and significantly down from 159 units 12 months ago. Toyota claimed a segment share of 54.2% followed by Mitsubishi with a 34% share. Financing share was 50.8% in line with the normal monthly average.

Mini trucks recorded 145 units (N 123, P 22) in Jan up from 114 units the previous month but significantly down from 250 units 12 months ago. Back in 2016 this segment of vehicles recorded over 1,000 units. This segment is dominated by Tata with an 80% share followed by Mazda with a 5.5% share. The Tata Ace also known at the Dimo Batta is a rural multi-utility vehicle with usage ranging from a mobile bakery (paan), food catering and multipurpose usage by tradesman, farmers and fisherman and sometimes used as a people mover. Financing share was 90.4% in line with the normal monthly average.

Light trucks recorded 250 units (N 216, P 34) in Jan up from 167 units the previous month but down from 302 units 12 months ago. Mahindra dominated this category through its Bolero truck with an 80% share followed by Mazda with a 4.8% share. Financing share was 84.4% in line with the normal monthly average.

Medium trucks recorded 202 units (N 72, P 130) in Jan up from 134 units in Dec but down from 283 units 12 months ago. Isuzu is the category leader with a 67.8% share followed by Mitsubishi with a 9.4% share.

Heavy trucks recorded 92 units (N 89, P 3) in Jan up from 48 units the previous month but down from 219 units 12 months ago. Tata was the category leader with a 35.9% share followed by Lanka Ashok with 25%. Financing share was 77.8% in line with the normal monthly average.

Bus registrations recorded 117 units (N 75, P 42) in Jan up from 81 units in Dec but down from 136 units 12 months ago. Lanka Ashok is the segment leader with a 34.2% share followed by Mitsubishi with a 17.9%. Financing share was 76.9% in line with the normal monthly average.

Hand tractors recorded 134 units (N 120, P 14) in Jan down from 214 units the previous month and significantly down from 354 units 12 months ago. Farm Master is the category leader with a 36.6% share followed by New Lion with a 23.9% share. Financing share was 50.7% in line with the normal monthly average.

Large tractors recorded 189 units (N 183, P 6) in Jan down from 225 units the previous month and 213 units 12 months ago. Tafe is the category leader with a 46% share followed by Mahindra with a 15.3% share. Financing share was 77% in line with the normal monthly average. (AD)