Car makers report good domestic sales in Sept

As the auto industry continuing on the revival mode, major car makers including Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, Honda, Toyota and M&M on Wednesday reported good domestic sales growth in September ahead of the festive season.

Others like Tata Motors, General Motors and Ford India, however, reported decline in sales in September during which the 15-day ‘shraadh’ period, considered inauspicious by some Hindus for new purchases, was observed.

Maruti Suzuki said its domestic sales during the month stood at 99,290 units, up 9.8 per cent from 90,399 units in September last year. The company’s sales were driven by its compact cars, comprising Swift, Estilo, Celerio, Ritz and Dzire, which clocked 43,304 units as against 36,679 units in the year-ago month, up 18.1 per cent. 

Sales of mini passenger cars including Alto, A-Star and WagonR were down 13.4 per cent at 35,547 units as against 41,061 units in the same month previous year.

Rival Hyundai Motor India sold 35,041 units last month in the domestic market as compared to 30,601 units in September 2013, up 14.5 per cent.

Honda Cars India also reported 45 per cent increase in domestic sales in September 2014 at 15,015 units as against 10,354 units in the same month last year.

Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) said its sales in domestic market stood at 12,552 units during the month, up 4.46 per cent as compared to 12,015 units in the same month last year. M&M reported 4 per cent increase in September auto sales at 44,911 units vs 43,289 units (year-on-year). Sales for passenger vehicles segment, which includes utility vehicles and the Verito, stood at 19893 units in September vs 18916 units (yoy), the company said.

Domestic sales stood at 42408 units vs 40574 units, the company added. General Motors India, however, reported 37.38 per cent decline in September sales at 4,413 units as against 7,048 units sold in the same month of last year.

Ford India’s domestic sales also declined 36.22 per cent to 6,786 units in September as against 10,640 units in the same month previous year.