Maruti ahead in mid-sized segment

Maruti Suzuki India, better known for its compact cars, has zipped past the competition "� including Honda and Hyundai "� in the mid-sized sedan segment this fiscal on the back of its successful SX4.

The company, which has been focusing on becoming a full-scale player to grow out of its small car maker image, has managed to grow 53.2 per cent in the A3 (mid-sized sedan) segment in the April 2007-February 2008 period.

According to data from the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), Maruti's sales in the period stood at 41,799 units as compared to 27,283 in the previous year period. The growth enabled the company to race past Honda Siel Cars India, which was number one.

Honda's cumulative sales stood at 34,029 units in the April 2007-February 2008 period against 35,300 units in the previous period. Hyundai Motor India was third with 29,146 units sold in the period as against 25,147 units a year ago.