Low-Point: Maruti Suzuki had zero sales in April due to COVID-19 lockdown

The nation-wide lockdown due to coronavirus has had an impact on almost all the industries. The automotive industry is no different. Maruti Suzuki – country’s largest carmaker – has revealed that it recorded zero sales in the Indian market in April. The car marker said that it was due to the lockdown and compliance with government orders. 

“Maruti Suzuki India Limited had zero sales in the domestic market, (including sales to OEM), in April 2020. This was because in compliance with the Government orders all production facilities were closed,” Maruti Suzuki said, in a statement on Friday morning.

A 21-day nation-wide lockdown was announced in India on March 25 before the government decided to extend it further till May 3. 

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The car maker, however, has started exporting after the resumption of port services.

“Meanwhile, following resumption of port operations, the first export shipment of 632 units was undertaken from the Mundra port, ensuring that all guidelines for safety were followed,” the statement added. 

MG Motor also announced that it retailed zero units in April as dealerships remained closed due to the nationwide lockdown to contain coronavirus pandemic. The company, which reports only retail sales figures, has recorded zero retail sales for the month of April 2020, as its showrooms were closed due to nationwide lockdown, MG Motor India said in a statement.

The carmaker, which began operations and manufacturing on a small scale at its facility in Halol in the last week of April 2020, hopes that production will ramp-up in the month of May and is working on the local supply-chain support. The company is gearing up for working as per norms, including sanitisation and social distancing, the automaker said.