Jharkhand: Automobile sector on road to revival

Despite the industries and their allied sectors across the country reeling under economic constraints because of the Covid pandemic, the automobile sector is showing signs of revival in Jharkhand with the rise in car sales since June. Before the pandemic, it was one of worst hit sectors and economic experts had said it marked the entry of recession in the country.

The rise in car sales is driven by the ongoing ban on railways and inter-state public transport in the state. The rising number of Covid-19 cases has also come as a silver lining for the automobile sector as people wanted to avoid public transport and commercial taxis. Currently, small cars, sedans and sport utility vehicles are being sold in handsome numbers across the showrooms in most Jharkhand cities.

Premsons Motors in Ranchi said it is selling 30 new cars every day. “Since the unlock phase began on June 1, our sales have increased. Between June and August, the sales have gone up by 50% in comparison with the same period last year,” Punit Poddar, the owner of Premsons Motors, said.

Those who cannot afford hefty EMIs for a new car currently are also making a beeline at the True Value shops. As per estimates, as many as 20 used cars are being sold in Ranchi daily.

Jamshedpur, which is the auto manufacturing hub of Jharkhand, is also posting a steady increase in sales figures. “The jump in demand is unexpectedly high for two reasons. Firstly, those who couldn’t buy the car due to the market shutdown during the lockdown period are now ready for booking and secondly a huge section of the people wants to possess a personal car to avoid rentals during the Covid period for safety reasons,” said Pranab Chakraborty, sales manager at Nexa Motor World in Adityapur. Chakraborty said his showroom sold 70 cars between July and August alone.

An official at the car loan department of HDFC Bank said over 500 cars, cutting across all segments, have been sold in July and close to 400 cars, were sold in August, in the Steel City.

“Contrary to our expectations that the slowdown in sales since the early days of the unlock would continue for the next few months, the bookings made a turnaround in July,” said Shailesh Tiwary, an HDFC Bank official.

Mohammad Ismail, proprietor of KGN Motors in Sakchi which sells used cars, said queries for the bookings have started coming in since the past few days. “There was no business between April and June but since July, people are making enquiries and we have also sold a few cars. We are hoping that the market improves in the festive season,” he added.

In Bokaro too, automobile sales are quickly regaining lost ground. Gopal Lodha, owner of Hindustan Auto Agency, said, “After the unlock phase began in June, I am selling 150 cars every month. The demand is on the rise again. We expect the business to its peak during Diwali and Dhanteras during November.”

While hatchbacks and sedans are on high demand, but high-end cars, which cost Rs 30 lakh and above, are still struggling to find customers, the sellers added.