New Delhi

During the first quarter of the current fiscal year, the demand for passenger vehicles (PVs) experienced a degree of suppression, primarily attributed to two significant factors: the prevailing heat wave and the occurrence of elections. These circumstances resulted in a notable reduction in footfall at showrooms, as many potential customers opted to stay away. This insight was shared by Rahul Bharti, who holds the position of Executive Director for Corporate Affairs at Maruti Suzuki, during a statement made on Wednesday.

Advertisment

Bharti elaborated on the company's strategic response to this challenging market environment. He explained, "In recognition of these obstacles, we intensified our efforts to engage with customers through various channels. We made a strategic decision to increase our discount offerings, thereby enhancing the appeal of our products. As a consequence of these measures, despite the less than favourable market conditions, we were able to achieve retail sales that were nearly equivalent to those of the preceding quarter."

Advertisment

Furthermore, Bharti noted the presence of a segment of customers who might be deliberately postponing their purchases, potentially waiting for the festive season or what they consider to be more auspicious occasions to make their automotive investments. In light of this observation, he emphasised that the company is "placing a greater emphasis on improving retail sales."

To put these efforts into perspective, it's worth noting that Maruti Suzuki's average discounts during the April-June 2024 quarter reached INR 21,700 per vehicle. This figure represents a substantial increase of 50 per cent when compared to the January-March 2024 period, during which the average discount stood at INR 14,500 per vehicle.

Advertisment

Despite the increased discounts and challenging market conditions, Maruti Suzuki reported impressive financial results for the April-June FY25 quarter. The company saw a significant 48 per cent rise in consolidated net profit, reaching INR 3,759 crore. This marks a substantial improvement from the INR 2,542 crore net profit recorded in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year (April-June FY24).

The company's consolidated revenue from operations showed strong growth, increasing to INR 35,876 crore in the June quarter, up from INR 30,847 crore in the same period of the previous year. Bharti attributed this robust financial performance to a combination of factors, including "cost reduction efforts, favourable commodity prices, and foreign exchange rates."

However, Bharti also pointed out that the benefits derived from favourable commodity prices and foreign exchange rates were partially offset by the higher discounts offered during this period. In terms of sales volume, the company reported domestic sales of 451,308 units during the quarter, representing a 4 per cent increase compared to Q1FY24.

To stimulate interest in the small car segment, Maruti Suzuki introduced two significant product offerings during the quarter: the new-generation Swift model and the Dream Series Edition, which was made available for three of the company's existing models.

Looking ahead, Bharti acknowledged that the short-term outlook for the auto industry remains subdued. However, he expressed confidence in Maruti Suzuki's position, stating that the company is "not worried" about these temporary market conditions and will maintain its focus on delivering products that meet market demands.

On the export front, Maruti Suzuki shipped 70,560 vehicles during Q1, generating export revenue of INR 4,481 crore. The company has observed growth in several international markets, particularly in the Middle East, Latin America, and Africa. Based on current performance, Bharti indicated that the company's target of achieving 300,000 exports for the full fiscal year appears to be within reach. Notably, the Jimny model emerged as Maruti Suzuki's most significant export product during the first quarter.

This comprehensive overview of Maruti Suzuki's performance and strategies during a challenging market period underscores the company's resilience, adaptability, and commitment to maintaining its market position despite temporary setbacks in consumer demand.