Bajaj Auto sales up 76%

The country's second largest two-wheeler company Bajaj Auto Ltd today reported a 76 per cent jump in its May 2005 sales 153,975 units. In growth terms, the number surpasses market leader Hero Honda and the number-three player TVS Motor.

Bajaj Auto had sold 87,663 units during the same period previous fiscal. In May 2005, Hero Honda sales grew by 6.5 per cent to 226,072 units as against 212,177 units in the same month last year.

Sales of TVS Motor grew by 32 per cent to 106,914 units compared with 80,895 during the same month last year.

Bajaj Auto's combined sales of two- and three-wheelers during the month were up by 52 per cent at 178,645 units compared with 117,200 units in year-ago period, the company said in a release.

Two-wheeler sales rose by 61 per cent to 162,753 units (101,022 units in May 2004) while sales of three-wheelers declined by two per cent to 15,892 units (16,178 units), it added.

Hero Honda Motors said sales in the domestic market were up 4.5 per cent to 216,971 units (207,507). Exports in the month nearly doubled to 9,101 units from 4,670 units in May 2004.

Sales, including exports, during April and May grew 13 per cent to 461,494 units against 408,201 units in the corresponding period last year. This included 17,516 units of exports (7,986) in April-May 2004, the company said.

TVS Motor reported a 47 per cent growth in bike sales at 63,585 units (43,180) in May. On the export front, the companyregistered 59 per cent rise, registering the highest-ever exports of 6,354 units.

A company release said sales of 'TVS Star' crossed the 100,000 mark since its launch. In the scooterette segment, sales grew 18 per cent, clocking 20,454 units during May 2005 compared to 17,321 units last year.