A Comprehensive Overview of Bus Sales in India in 2023
The year 2023 witnessed a notable surge in bus sales in India, with prominent manufacturers such as Ashok Leyland and Tata Motors spearheading this growth.
After the slump heralded by the 2020 COVID pandemic, the year 2023 witnessed a robust demand for buses in India. After a gap of three long years, bus sales in India registered a strong uptick, driven by the increasing necessity for public mobility and fleet replacement.
Among the key players in the Indian commercial vehicle market, Ashok Leyland Limited emerged as a standout performer, achieving a remarkable 64% year-on-year surge in sales of Medium and Heavy commercial vehicle (MHCV) buses.
Ashok Leyland’s cumulative bus sales in India surged to 11,216 units during the April-to-December period of 2023.
Volvo Eicher Commercial Vehicles (VECV) also demonstrated notable growth in the bus segment, with a 24.7% increase in sales for Light and Medium-duty (LMD) buses. Impressively, their Heavy-Duty (HD) bus sales in India experienced a staggering 369% growth.
VECV successfully sold 9,945 LMD buses and 1,369 HD buses during the same period under review.
Tata Motors, a key player in the Indian automotive industry, displayed consistent growth throughout all four quarters of 2023 in their passenger carrier segment.
Despite not providing a detailed breakdown of bus sales, Tata Motors reported a significant 19% growth in sales of passenger carrier commercial vehicles during the October-December period, reaching 7,704 units.
Overall, Tata Motors‘ passenger carrier commercial vehicles achieved a remarkable 33% sales growth for the entire year of 2023.
In December 2023, Tata Motors secured a substantial order from the Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) for supplying 1,350 units of the Tata LPO 3618 diesel bus chassis.
Specifically designed for intercity and long-distance travel, this strategic move solidifies Tata Motors’ position in catering to diverse transportation needs.
Highlighting the surging numbers of electric bus sales in India, Tata Motors announced the supply of 100 electric buses to the Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC) recently.
As of date, Tata Motors, a pioneer in the electric mobility sector, has supplied over 1,500 electric buses to multiple cities in India.
These electric buses, deployed across various cities in India, have collectively covered more than 100 million kilometers, maintaining an uptime of over 95%.
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Ashok Leyland‘s bus sales in India were bolstered by a significant order from the Tamil Nadu government in December. The order entails providing 552 ultra-low entry (ULE) diesel non-AC buses, with deliveries slated to commence in April.
Girish Wagh, Executive Director of Tata Motors, emphasized the consistent post-pandemic recovery in the passenger commercial vehicles segment, witnessing a remarkable 19% sales growth compared to Q3FY23.
As the Indian automotive industry continues to evolve, the surge in bus sales for 2023 reflects a resilient market adapting to changing dynamics and a growing emphasis on sustainable and electric mobility solutions.
With key players like Ashok Leyland, Volvo Eicher Commercial Vehicles, and Tata Motors leading the way, the Indian bus market is poised for continued growth and innovation in the years ahead.
