Automobile sales see mixed trend in May

Car sales in May witnessed a mixed trend after decline of 10.43 per cent year-on-year in April 2013, with sales at Renault, Honda and GM India rising in contrast to fall in Maruti, M&M and Toyota Kirloskar in comparison to May 2012 sales.

Renault India reported 13-fold increase in sales at 6,300 units compared to 482 units in May 2012. SUV Duster contributed 5,146 units.

Honda Cars India sold 11,342 units in May 2013 , up 9.8 per cent compared to 10,334 units in May 2012. The first two months saw the company registering a growth of 14 per cent YoY at 19,830 units.

GM India registered 40 per cent growth YoY at 8,500 units in May 2013, which the company's Vice-President, P Balendran attributed to “good response to newly launched Chevrolet Sail (2,851 units) and Chevrolet Enjoy (2,177 units).”

However, Maruti Suzuki India said its May 2013 car sales were down 14.4 per cent at 84,677 units, compared to 98,884 units in May 2012, with exports witnessing a higher decline of 27 per cent at 6,856 units.

Toyota Kirloskar declared 35 per cent decline in May car sales at 10,023 units, compared to 15,501 units in May 2012. Its DMD & CEO Sandeep Singh said, “The market continues to be sluggish.”

Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) sales were marginally down 1.2 per cent to 43,460 units compared to 43,989 units in May 2012, the company said in a statement.