In the flurry of the incessant uncertainty of various sectors, including India’s auto sector, the massive shockwaves were just edging closer to collapse. The auto industry appeared to be gradually moving out of inactivity to recovering substantially from the pandemic. However, the second wave knuckled down the industry’s aspiration to foster its growth-oriented opportunities.
Recently, YouGov conducted a survey to predict the graph of the auto industry in India. It got exhibited that the entailment of the second wave of the pandemic has compelled many consumers’ plan of purchasing cars momentarily.
They were ought to reprocess their decision on whether to go with purchasing or delay their actions, considering the uncertainty over various factors. Presumably, last year the government instituted a nationwide lockdown, which had more restrictions than the states induced lockdown this time. However, it didn’t play a part in boosting up the aggregate demand of the consumers as they succumbed to fear and the threat of the deadly virus. The sentiments hit a roadblock as the execution of proceeding with their decision was low-key.
The argument that went in favor of India’s auto manufacturing companies is that the period between September and December 2020 showcased a significant increase in sales compared to the first half itself. It seems like the anticipation of growth for the second half of this year is highly critical for moving ahead.
What was the Mobility Plans Pointed Out During the Survey?
The survey accumulated answers of more than 1000 respondents extended to 137 cities and urban areas. It indicated that three in five urban Indians had bestowed plans to either structure their auto sales or had purchased their vehicles this year following the uprightness of the vaccine rollout across India. What was assumed to be a silver lining changed into being the harsh times for consumer demand and goods? All this positivity across the markets was centered when the Covid-19 situation was in control. Three in ten urban Indians accustomed to planning for purchasing a car this year, constituting 26% percent of the total buyers.
How come Differences Vented Between Supplies During the Second Wave?
The figures stated related to an inquiry on people and their vehicle purchase plans before the second wave hit turmoil. A large proportion of numbers accounted for the period before lockdowns and mobility restrictions got imposed in India. Although the survey was conducted in late April, the auto consumers were requested to comment on their vehicle purchase plans before and after the second wave transpired.
While 22% of people had facilitated a purchase of a two-wheeler, one in every ten people had already bought it. The differences cracked open the ferocious wave that had impacted the production and weakened the purchasing power of many vehicle aspirants. Furthermore, some people likely proceed with their laid out plans but the exponent of such numbers stands on a low level. One in five urban Indians is proceeding with their car plan while the rest have tweaked or canceled their auto acquisition altogether.
Why have Urban Indians revamped their vehicle acquisition plans? Was it all because of the consequences of the second wave?
Over the past few years, India’s auto industry has seen some remarkable innovations in its design and manufacturing. While change becomes inevitable due to obscurity, their ambitions for EVs have been handed a major downfall following the catastrophe. The shift in the moods of buying the vehicle or canceling it out has mounted troubles in the markets.
The hearsay is that more than a fifth of the respondents have abandoned their interests in car purchase and rather are prolonging their decision for the next 4-6 months. On the other hand, a handful of responses adhered to plans of shifting two-wheelers in case they fell short of fulfilling their primary goals. The resemblance of the first wave can follow in terms of the demand for second-hand cars. With incomes uncertain, and fewer than the desired levels, respondents could shift from buying a new car to likely pre-owned or occupied cars.
How Can the Consumer Sentiments Get Influenced For Getting the Auto Industry Back on Track?
While the past few months have staggered the demand of auto manufacturers, the latter half of the year could turn the tide. According to the YouGov survey, the timeline of acquisition has deferred from the earlier projections. The demand has demolished and aggravated the troubles of the carmakers. The conception across the auto industry is that the festive season could pitch as a game-changer for upraising incomes. But they are key factors that could hamper the influential markets yet again.
The engrossing impact of the pandemic and how it turns out in the foreseeable future is critical for boosting the economic recovery, which influences the demand. The car purchasers had sought a sudden shift in their plans due to the tightened budget considerations. The ramped-up in vaccination rates across industries would help in mitigating the concerns of consumers. The easing restrictions of the lockdowns could pave the way in encouraging the market sentiments.
Where Could the Looming Uncertainties Lead the Auto Industry?
Over the years, people have developed an unprecedented likening towards hatchbacks. The Covid-19 tragedy has summoned it all. Now with looming uncertainties of Covid as well as economic slowdown, a conscious effect has been dwelled in to purchase cost-effective cars. The modifications in the trends have got inflicted in the second wave itself.
The scars have been prevalent in the study and have highlighted the financially deprived families. It is kosher that a large section of the respondents belong to the middle class as they have suffered from lack of income or health shockwaves of the family. Without any compelling activity occurring during the lockdown, people were forced out of their jobs, causing huge financial problems. They were let alone not able to stand up to their household expectations barring aside other affluence. The survey claimed that people want to opt for savings instead of buying vehicles for unforeseen challenges. Even though the pandemic has rippled their livelihoods, less than one-third of the respondents blame mobility restrictions as the decisive factor.
Although the mobility restrictions are gradually easing, the consumer’s sentiments may take an elongated outlook before moving on to the recovery path. The demand factor is getting knitted down on the economic forefront as underwhelming. A collective pressure of health and economic concerns has triggered consumers to revamp their plans. It has left dismay on the auto industry, as they don’t assent a clue about sustainability in their revenues.
The longer the economy shakes, the more it will impact the consumer indices. Therefore, it will be affecting their spending across various sectors, with the auto acquisition being pointless in time of fulfilling other contingencies.
