Best-Selling Motorcycles in September 2021

No matter how good a motorcycle looks or performs, its fate is decided by the consumers. The best-selling motorcycles are solely determined based on the numbers generated for the manufacturer, irrespective of the segment or category it belongs to. On the whole, there were 14,70,011 units sold in the domestic market, which is a decrease of -17.45% compared to 17,80,837 units sold in the same month last year. However, the MoM growth shows a positive response, with only 12,71,455 units sold in August 2021, which is a 15.62% increase. Let’s get down to the details based on manufacturers.

Domestic sales

Here is a summary of the sales in a table format

1. Hero Motocorp
   

   

   Hero Motocorp eats away the pie with approximately 34.38% of the market and continues to lead domestically. The numbers tallied up to a total of 5,05,462 units in September. All is not well in the YoY chart due to a decline of -27.51%, as it sold 6,97,293 units same time last year. However, the MoM chart seems to please the makers with a 17.24% increase compared to the 4,31,137 units sold last month. The Splendor and the HF Deluxe remain the significant contributors in making Hero lead the list of the best-selling motorcycles. Nothing can be said about their sales performance, although as a consumer we would like to see more motorcycles in the performance segment. Since Hero seems to be giving a good thought in the design department, which can be said after the good sales figures of Hero Xpulse 200 and Xtreme 160R, we wish they revive the Karizma R series(the golden kid from the 2000s) with just a mild update.

2. Honda

   Honda Activa 6GNot far behind, at number two, is Honda, with a total number of 4,63,679 units sold in September. Honda’s best selling motorcycle was its Activa scooter, and other contributors include the commuter CB Shine and the stylish Dio. YoY growth seems to have taken a tumble and is down by -7.43%, compared to 5,00,887 units sold same time last year. Market share is still substantial at 31.54%, which is still a lot of pie. 4,01,469 units were sold in August 2021, bringing a positive MoM growth of 15.5%. Honda seems to have entirely forgotten the motorcycle segment in India (especially above 200cc) and is milking the scooter segment until its last drop. We want to see bikes from Honda that compete with the KTMs, Apache RR310 and Pulsar RS200. The CB250R looks dated and still comes with the same engine from when it was launched in India, which is sad compared to the variety of Honda products in other Asian countries.

3. TVS
   

   

   Apart from the two leaders, all others are doing reasonably good numbers with TVS, at the third spot, selling almost half of what the leaders sell. Total numbers for September are 2,44,084 units. Interestingly, TVS is the only manufacturer with a positive YoY growth of 0.96%, with 2,41,762 units sold at the same time last year. Market share is at a respectable 16.6%. The most substantial numbers are in the MoM chart, with TVS gaining 35.6% compared to 1,79,999 units sold in August 2021. We need to appreciate TVS for reading the market requirements and has at least one fantastic product in every segment of its portfolio. Right from scooters (Jupiter and Ntorq), commuters (Star City and Radeon), electric scooters (iQube), naked bikes (Apache RTR 160, 180 and 200 4V) and a supersport faired bike (RR310).

4. Bajaj
   

   

   Next on the list of best-selling motorcycles is Bajaj, with a sales figure of 1,73,945 units. The YoY growth does not look good and has gone down by -20.75%, as compared to 2,19,500 units sold at the same time last year. However, the MoM growth is positive at 10.11%, with 1,57,971 units sold in August 2021. We believe that the Pulsar range has lived long enough to watch itself become the villain. Not that the design looks bad, but Bajaj is giving it meaningless updates over the years, spoiling its reputation. So what it needs is a major generation update rather than facelifts and new paint schemes, and it looks like the same is on its way.

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5. Suzuki
   

   

   Suzuki does not seem to be doing well with both YoY and MoM showing negative sales figures. The total numbers are 55,608 units, which is a loss of -14.71% YoY compared to 65,195 units sold at the same time last year, and a loss of -10.03% MoM compared to 61,809 units sold in August 2021. When it comes to Suzuki, it has the making of getting more numbers especially considering its top-notch products like the Suzuki Access 125 and Gixxer 150/250 siblings, both naked and faired. What seems to have affected its outlook are products like the Intruder 150 and, to some extent, the Burgman 125. Hopefully, Suzuki will bring more products to India to showcase how mighty the Japanese manufacturer is compared to others.

6. Royal Enfield
   

   

   The thumper seems to have found the last spot on the list of best-selling motorcycles with an overall figure of 27,233 units. The Royal Enfield also has a negative sales report in both YoY and MoM. The YoY stands at a dismal -51.54%, with 56,200 units sold at the same time last year, while the MoM is also an equally sad -30.30%, with 39,070 units sold in August 2021. Hopefully, this number should increase after the recent launch of the New Classic 350. We are sure about this, simply because of the significant updates that make it a far better deal than the previous generation.

Export Sales

1. Bajaj
   

   When it comes to overseas, Bajaj stands on top of the best selling motorcycles and seems to be dominating the market. The fact that it has eaten 55.32% of the market share is proof enough. With a total of 1,87,091 units sold in September, the YoY growth has increased by a marginal 0.94%, with 1,85,351 units exported same time last year. The MoM is also not so great at 3.74%, with 1,80,339 units shipped during August 2021.

2. TVS
   

   The second on the export list is TVS, with a total of 88,427 units sold. It is trying desperately to get close to its arch-rival Bajaj but still sold almost a lakh units less and enjoys a market share of 26.15%. YoY has given good results with only 71,570 units exported in September last year. But, the MoM has seen a decline of -6.24%, with 94,314 units shipped in August 2021.

3. Hero Motocorp
   

   Hero is in the 3rd spot with a total of 24,884 units. This means a positive response in both YoY and MoM. The YoY is up by 35.06%, with 18,425 units exported same time last year, and the MoM is up by 9.42%, with 22,742 units shipped in August 2021. Hero enjoys a market share of 7.36%.

4. Honda
   

   Honda has claimed the 4th spot with a total of 19,077 units exported in September 2021. This has seen a negative growth on the YoY chart at -26.56%, with 25,978 units shipped last September. Unfortunately for Honda, even the MoM has witnessed a decline of -34.7%, with 29,214 exported in August 2021. Honda’s market share is at 5.64%.

5. Suzuki
   

   The total number of 12,404 units puts Suzuki in the 5th spot. However, Suzuki has gained a lot in the YoY chart at 91.83%, with just 6,466 units exported last September. The MoM is also up by 6.44%, with 11,654 units sold in August 2021. Suzuki has a market share of 3.67%.

6. Royal Enfield
   

   Unfortunately for Royal Enfield, it is the last manufacturer on the export list, with 6,296 units exported in September 2021. The YoY has seen an increase of 52.41%, with 4,131 units exported same time last year. The MoM sees a decline, though, at -7.28%, with 6,790 units shipped in August 2021.