Maruti sales up 5% in June, GM skids

Passenger car maker Maruti Udyog Ltd (MUL) has reported a dismal sales growth of 5 per cent in June 2005 with total volumes of 41,390 units. Total sales in June 2004 was 39,574 units, including exports of 3,159 units.

Sales of General Motors, however, dropped by 10 per cent in June 2005. Sales of Honda Siel, however, increased by 38 per cent in June 2005 to 3,826 units against 2,772 units sold during the same month of last year.

MUL's domestic sales improved by 4.3 per cent in June 2005 to 37,995 units over 36,415 units sold in June 2004. The company had reported a four per cent drop in its sales in May 2005.

MUL's overall sales (including exports) in May 2005 fell to 42286 units from 44212 units sold in May 2004.

A press release from General Motors India said the dip in sales was owing to disruption in production caused by rains and floods in Baroda in the month.

The company's June sales included 1,461 units of the multi-purpose vehicle Tavera, 404 units of the Chevrolet Optra, 315 Opel Corsas and three units of imported SUV Forester.

Sales of Maruti's 1.3 litre hatchback Swift, which completed the first full month of sales in June 2005, stood at 5600 units. Sales of the country's only A-segment car M800 continued to slip with volumes dropping by 41 per cent in June 2005 compared to same month of last year.