- Domestic sales dipped by four per cent
- Exports saw a drop of 69 per cent
- Worker’s strike at its Oragadam facility was the major reason for the loss
Royal Enfield has witnessed a decline of six per cent in its sale in the month of November as compared to the sales of the corresponding month last year. The total units it delivered in November 2017 were 70,126 which came down to 65,744 units this year.
The sales of Royal Enfield faced a brunt due to the worker’s strike at its Oragadam facility in Chennai. The strike commenced on 24 September and lasted till 12 November, resulting in a loss of production of 28,000 motorcycles. The strike was regarding the low increment in wages of workers along with other demands.
If only domestic sales of the motorcycles are considered, the slump has been of four per cent. The company sold 65,026 motorcycles in India which was higher in November last year at 67,776 units. Meanwhile, the drop in exports was much more intense as RE exported 2,350 units during November 2017 which dropped to 718 units this year, accounting for 69 per cent deterioration.
Royal Enfield launched its first 650cc motorcycles, the Continental GT 650 and Interceptor 650, on 14 November in India. Apart from the new bikes, it is also actively updating its bikes with ABS feature which will be a mandate for all the over-125cc bikes from 1 April 2019.