Buoyant growth continued unabated in the passenger car and commercial vehicle segments, with sales (including exports) of the country’s leading automobile makers rising 20.6 per cent in September to 290,252 units, compared to 240,656 units in the month last year.
The leading car makers, many of whom announced record sales this month, include market leader Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai Motor, Tata Motors, General Motors, Ford India, Mahindra & Mahindra, Toyota and Honda. These represented the bulk of sales in the country.
Maruti Suzuki topped the charts with its sales crossing the 100,000-mark in a month for the fourth time. In September, the company recorded record sales of 108,0006 units — a growth of 29.65 per cent over the previous year, when it had clocked sales of 83,306 units.
Hyundai Motor India Ltd (HMIL) also announced record sales in the domestic market, which accounted for 31,751 units, against 27,803 units in September, 2009, a growth of 14.1 per cent . However, its total sales in September stood at 51,441 units, compared to 53,802 units in the month last year — a decline of 4.4 per cent. The reason is that exports declined by 24.3 per cent from 25,999 units in September last year to 19,690 units in the month this year, as the European countries withdrew concessions given to customers on buying small cars.
Commenting on HMIL’s sales performance, Director (Marketing and Sales) Arvind Saxena said: “It is heartening to see the market on a growth trajectory and this has reflected in our sales. We achieved the highest-ever domestic sales since 1998. Hopefully, the festive season will further consolidate the growth. The launch of the new ‘next gen’ i10 should also strengthen our position in the compact car segment, as it has been received very well by the market.”
| IN THE FAST LANE SALES OF LEADING AUTOMOBILE COMPANIES | |||
| Company | Sept ’09 | Sept ’10 | % Increase |
| Maruti Suzuki India Ltd | 83,306 | 108,006 | 29.65 |
| GM | 7,654 | 8,617 | 13.00 |
| Ford | 3,405 | 8,380 | 146.00 |
| Hyundai | 53,802 | 51,441 | -4.40 |
| Tata Motors | 52,513 | 64,668 | 23.00 |
| Mahindra & Mahindra | 28,434 | 35,177 | 24.00 |
| Toyota | 5,748 | 6,235 | 8.50 |
| Honda | 5,794 | 7,728 | 33.38 |
| TOTAL | 240,656 | 290,252 | 20.60 |
| Suzuki Motorcycles | 15,542 | 22,534 | 44.99 |
| Yamaha | 29,900 | 33,944 | 13.50 |
| TVS Motors | 143,753 | 188,005 | 30.78 |
| TOTAL | 189,195 | 244,483 | 29.22 |
| Mahindra Tractors | 16,986 | 17,481 | 3.00 |
Company executives said the marginal decline in the overall sales due to dip in exports would soon be absorbed by high growth in domestic sales in the coming months.
Tata Motors’ total sales (including exports) of commercial and passenger vehicles in September were 64,668 vehicles, a growth of 23 per cent over 52,513 vehicles sold in the month last year.
The company’s commercial vehicle sales in the month in the domestic market stood at 35,734 units — a 14 per cent growth over 31,474 vehicles sold in September last year. Light Commercial Vehicles (LCV) sales stood at 19,097 units, a growth of 3 per cent over September last year. Medium and heavy commercial vehicles sales were at 16,637 units, representing a growth of 28 per cent over September last year.
The passenger vehicles business reported a total sale and distribution offtake of 25,527 units (Tata 23,877 and Fiat 1,650) in the domestic market in September, a 23 per cent rise over 20,752 units (Tata 18,176 and Fiat 2,576) in the month last year.
Tata Nano sales stood at 5,520 units, 61 per cent higher than those in September last year.
Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd also announced its highest-ever sales in a month, at 35,177 units, during September, compared to 28,434 units in the month last year — a growth of 24 per cent.
Speaking on the half-yearly numbers, M&M Chief Executive (Automotive Division) Rajesh Jejurikar said: “It is a matter of pride for us that September has been a record month for auto sales in the history of M&M, when we sold 35,177 vehicles. All our brands have done exceptionally well, with the Logan clocking a sale of 1,000 units during the month.”
