Maruti Udyog Q1: Net profit up 63%

 PTI adds: After witnessing single-digit growth in sales volumes last year, Maruti's numbers, including exports, increased 18.9% in the April-June 2006 period at 1,44,948 units as against 1,21,866 units a year ago. Sales in the domestic market was up 19.2% at 1,37,104 units.

Ajay Seth, general manager (finance) of MUL, said that despite the pressure on margins due to higher input costs, Maruti improved operating margins (EBITDA) by 310 basis points to 19.3% in Q1FY07 as against 16.2% in Q1FY06.

"Cost reduction measures, value engineering and higher efficiency in production, apart from the favourable yen exchange rate, helped us increase operating margins in this quarter," Seth said.