New Delhi: For the first time ever, the Indian automobile industry is staring at zero sales due to the COVID-19 lockdown. Both manufacturing and sales have come to a halt.
Maruti, which sells the highest number of cars in India, is expecting no sales as well. RC Bhargava, Chairman at Maruti Suzuki, told HT Auto that “unusual things which would happen” considering the situation and that sale could indeed be zero for April.
Skoda’s Director Zac Holis too echoed the sentiment, stating that this will be the first time in his career that he sees zero cars sold in a month.
Well after 30 years in the Motor Industry this will be the first time in my career that I will have officially sold zero cars in a month. I know the business will return soon, in the meantime stay safe everyone and follow the Government guidelines wherever you are.
— Zac Hollis (@Zac_Hollis_) April 24, 2020
Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) has estimated Rs 2,300 crore per day production losses for auto manufacturers. The road to recovery will be long as well. Product launches are expected to be shelved or delayed, experts note.
The automobile industry which didn’t see a great year in 2019, had been hit hard due to the corona scare in March 2020 when sales of Tata and Mahindra fell by 84 per cent and 90 per cent, respectively, compared to the previous year.
Also Read: How To Maintain Your Car During Lockdown
