Auto sales up 68% in Dec

This shows that the auto industry has recovered on a strong note aided by stimulus packages, auto experts said.

According to Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) data total vehicle sales in the country rose to 10,00,500 units in December 2009 compared to a low volume sale of 5,97,241 units in the same month in 2008.  All major auto makers like Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai Motor, Tata Motors, Hero Honda and Bajaj Auto, posted robust rise in their sale turnover.  However, this impressive surge is primarily due to low-base effect of 2008 following slowdown in the domestic auto market.

As per SIAM data total domestic automobile sales in year 2009 grew by 16.93 percent to 1,13,20,918 units compared to 96,82,113 units in 2008. This jump in the sale figure is due to surge in sales in the second half of 2009 aided by positive impact of stimulus packages.

Passenger car sales stood at 1,15,268 units in December, the ninth straight month of growth, compared to 82,174 units in the same month a year ago posting a growth of 40.27 per cent. Motorcycle sales swelled by 76.70 per cent to 592,596 units in the month from 335,370 units in December 2008. Similarly, sale of commercial vehicles in the country soared by nearly three-fold to 48,614 units.  Sales of Light Commercial Vehicles went by over two-fold to 24,577 units against 10,997 units in December, 2008. Medium and Heavy Commercial Vehicle sales grew by over three-fold to 24,037 units compared to 6,900 units in December, 2008.

Two-wheeler sales in December 2009 grew by 66.60 per cent to 7,67,796 units from 4,60,852 units. In the scooter segment, sales increased by 41.39 per cent to 1,27,597 units against 90,247 units.