MUMBAI: ICRA (Information and credit rating agency) said that India is expected 8-10 percent car sales growth in FY16.
The expansion will be largely driven by an improvement in customer sentiment, which is correcting on lower cost of ownership because of fuel price corrections, and also the new launches which are in the pipeline, it said.
A sizeable chunk of the car sales is contributed by the first time buyers (FTB), whose purchase decision rests on the operating costs and macroeconomic factors.
The number of FTBs declined to 37 percent in 2014, which witnessed a spurt in fuel prices and also headwinds on the macroeconomic front, from a high of 50 percent in 2012, the rating outfit maintained.
“Over the last one year, gradual decline in fuel prices (especially petrol), easing financing norms and overall improved customer sentiment have helped in return of FTBs (in car market) in the current fiscal.”
The small car segment, the FTBs’ favourite, will witness improved volume traction, it said.
The used car market has been a beneficiary of the declining interest in new car market, it said, adding other factors like entry of organised players, increasing awareness and financing option have also helped.
“ICRA expects Indian used car market to outpace domestic new car sales growth in the near to medium term.”
