Top three two-wheeler cos post impressive growth in FY 05-06

New Delhi, Apr 1 (UNI) A slew of promotions by two-wheeler makers to meet year-end targets saw India's top three two-wheeler companies today report an impressive growth in sales ranging between 14-25 per cent for the financial year 2005-06.

Hero Honda, the leader in the pecking order, posted a 13.71 per cent jump in sales to 29,08,084 units against 25,57,385 units in the previous year.

Bajaj, India's second-largest motorcycle maker, reported a 25 per cent rise in sales during, whereas TVS Motor sales rose 15 per cent to 13,42,257 units against 11,67,016 units.

Together, the three companies have overtaken the 6.5 million units mark for the year.

India, the second biggest two-wheeler market after China, expects domestic sales to cross seven million units this financial year.

The previous fiscal closed at sales of 6.2 million units. With volumes growing at an average of 13 per cent this year, the industry too is optimistic about crossing the seven million mark.

Of the total size of the two-wheeler market in India, 4.5-5 million are cornered by motorcycles.

Bajaj sold 1,912,224 units as compared to 1,449,710 units during 2004-05, 32 per cent rise.

TVS on other hand posted sales of 8,06,708 units compared to 6,79,099 units.

Hero Honda, predominantly a motorcycle maker, also forayed into the scooter segment in January 2006.

On the exports front, Hero Honda, 26 per cent owned by Japan's Honda, saw a growth of 30.91 per cent to 92,667 units against 64,015 units during financial year 2004-05.

Bajaj's exports during the year increased by 27 per cent to 2,50,168 units against 1,96,710 units last year.

TVS Motors export witnessed a robust growth of 64 per cent in FY 2005-06, clocking 79,733 units compared 48,560 units in the corresponding period in the previous year.

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