Monthly vehicle sales in the country surged to an all-time high of 12,63, 293 units in August, but exports continued to lag, as sales of passenger vehicles in international markets fell 7.42 per cent to 37,952 units. Indian manufacturers had sold 41,345 passenger vehicles in international markets in August 2009.
Vishnu Mathur, director general of the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers, said, "With markets in Europe yet to recover from the recession, demand for passenger cars for exports continues to remain weak. Besides, capacity constraints of manufacturers are not enabling them to produce the surplus required for concentrating on the global platform."
On the domestic turf, however, the Indian automobile industry posted record numbers in August, selling 12,63,293 vehicles, 25.24 per cent more than last year. The previous high of 12,37,461 units was achieved in July.
Mathur said, "The growth is driven by sales in passenger vehicles, namely passenger cars and multi-purpose vehicles. The fundamentals of the economy continue to be strong and consumer confidence is high. These are driving the growth of sales of vehicles, mainly in the personal usage segments."
Domestic passenger car sales grew 33.24 per cent to 160,794 units, compared to 120,681 units in the same month last year. These were the best ever monthly sales, bettering the previous record of 158,764 units in July this year.
Similarly, motorcycle sales at 727,542 units, up by 19.04 per cent, is also a record. The previous high of 725,311 units was achieved in May. Overall, the two-wheeler market grew by 23.24 per cent to 957,304 units, from 776,772 units in August 2009.
In the commercial vehicles segment, sales grew to 52,030 units, an increase of 28.12 per cent over 40,609 vehicles sold in August 2009.
"Sale of commercial vehicles was largely affected during the recession. With the base effect wearing off, growth rates may moderate in the segment over the next three months, but volumes will still continue to be robust."
