Good rains, new models accelerate auto sales in July

Good rains coupled with positive business sentiment and new models revved up car sales in July. Market leader Maruti Suzuki crossed the one lakh-mark for the second time even as Hyundai Motor India sped past 50,000 units.

“The general business sentiment is buoyant and the normal monsoon is another positive,” said Mr Shashank Srivastava, Chief General Manager, Sales, Maruti. The automaker's local sales were its highest ever at 90,144 units.

Its compact car range comprising the Alto, the Wagon R, the Estilo Zen, the Ritz, the Swift and the A-Star grew 33 per cent to post sales of 64,079 units. The multipurpose options of the Eeco and the Omni reported 86 per cent growth while the sedan segment crossed the 10,000-unit mark. Exports, likewise, were over 10,000 vehicles.

Hyundai's total sales grew 11 per cent to 50,411 units in July of which the domestic market accounted for 28,811 units (growth of 24 per cent) with exports taking up the balance. The drop in international business was largely due to shrinking demand in Europe where scrappage incentive schemes came to an end.

“The market continues to be positive and we expect the trend to continue next quarter with the festive season,” said Mr Arvind Saxena, Director, Marketing and Sales.

Tata Motors reported 62 per cent growth in passenger vehicle sales at 27,864 units, thanks largely to the Nano, which sold 9,000 units, and the Indigo (7,007 units). Growing demand for the Indigo Manza ensured good numbers in the sedan category. As for Mahindra & Mahindra, sales of its utility vehicles were almost flat at 16,720 units. However, the Logan's volumes grew 69 per cent to 752 units in July. M&M had taken over the responsibility of producing the car from former ally Renault.

Ford India's sales showed a four-fold increase at 8,739 against 2,146 units for the same month last year with the Figo compact being the key growth driver. Toyota's numbers were up 36 per cent to 6,835 units while Nissan India sold 1,005 units in July of which the recently launched Micra took up 928 units.

Two-wheeler

In the two-wheeler space, Hero Honda sold 4.27 lakh units in July, a 17 per cent growth over 3.66 lakh units sold in the corresponding month last year. “We have a series of new launches planned in the coming months leading up to the festive season,” said Mr Anil Dua, Senior Vice-President, Marketing & Sales.

Bajaj Auto's volumes were up 66 per cent to 2.8 lakh motorcycles in July. Mr Rajiv Bajaj, Managing Director, said production constraints had limited sales.

TVS Motor reported a 35 per cent jump at 1.63 lakh units. M&M's two-wheeler sales grew four-fold to 12,033 units.