Maruti, Honda take lead in auto revival

Car cos optimistic of further growth due to festive sales

New Delhi, Sept. 1: Auto majors Maruti Suzuki, Honda Cars, Hyundai and Nissan reported healthy growth in domestic sales riding on an improved sentiment in the market. Other manufacturers, Mahindra & Mahindra, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, Ford India and General Motors, however, saw decline in their sales in the domestic market during the month.

The country’s largest car maker Maruti Suzuki India said its August domestic sales grew by 29.3 per cent to 98,304 units, up from 76,018 units in the same month last year. The company’s sales were driven by the compact cars, which zoomed 53.2 per cent at 46,759 units as against 30,512 units in the yearago month. Sales of mini passenger cars, were up 8.3 per cent at 34,686 units as against 32,019 units in the previous year.

Rival Hyundai Motor India Ltd saw its domestic sales grow by up 19.2 per cent at 33,750 units last month as compared to 28,311 units in August 2013. Commenting on the sales performance, HMIL senior vice president ( sales and marketing) Rakesh Srivastava said the firm continued to build on the positive momentum with good response for the new products such as Elite i20, Xcent and the Grand i10.

“We maintain a cautious optimism for a good festive season on the strength of new products, increase in demand for petrol cars and improving customer sentiments,” he added. HCIL reported 88 per cent jump in domestic sales in August 2014 at 16,758 units as against 8,913 units the same month in 2013. HCIL senior VP ( marketing and sales) Jnaneswar Sen said, “We are extremely happy to witness consistent growth month after month. The festive season will bring further cheer to the market.”