Domestic car sales up 8.8% in Dec

Domestic passenger car sales increased 8.8% to 65,853 units in December 2005 as against 60,521 units in December 2004.

According to data released by Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), commercial vehicles segment witnessed a decline of 6% to 27,726 units from 29,491 units sold in December 2004.

Motorcycle sales increased 2.4% to 4,70,848 units from 4,59,458
units sold in December 2004.

Maruti registered a growth of 20.38% at 38,078 units in December 2005 as against 31,631 units sold in December 2004. Tata Motors' sales increased 36.61% to 9,730 units from 7,122 units sold in the year-ago period.

Hyundai, on the other hand, witnessed a decline of 37.7% by selling only 7,738 units as against 12,423 units sold in December 2004.

Hero Honda logged 6% growth by selling 2,38,822 units in December 2005 as against 2,25,250 units sold in the year-ago period.