Maruti, Mahindra and Honda post double digit sales growth in May

Auto majors Maruti Suzuki India, Honda Cars and Mahindra posted double digit growth in the domestic sales of their passenger vehicles in May on the back of new models and utility vehicles. Ford also reported strong growth for the month while, Toyota Motor Corporation saw its domestic sales drop during the period. Market leader MSI said its domestic sales increased by 15.5 per cent during the month to 1,30,676 units, as against 1,13,162 units in May 2016. The company's sales were driven by the entry level cars, compact hatchbacks and utility vehicles (UV). Sales of its mini segment cars, including, Alto and WagonR, increased 18.1 per cent to 39,089 units from 33,105 vehicles in the year-ago month. The company said sales of the compact segment comprising Swift, Estilo, Dzire, Baleno and Ignis increased 10.1 per cent to 51,234 units in May as against 46,554 units in the same month last year. Besides, sales of utility vehicles, including S- Cross and Vitara Brezza surged by 66.3 per cent to 22,608 units. Mahindra & Mahindra posted 10.89 per cent increase in domestic sales at 40,602 units last month compared with 36,613 units in May 2016. M&M President Automotive Sector Rajan Wadhera said the projections of a good monsoon and focused investments in rural sector is expected to spur demand. "We have a robust outlook for future... At Mahindra, we look forward to growth momentum on the back of our existing product portfolio as well as upcoming new products," he added. Honda Cars India Ltd (HCIL) saw its domestic sales rise 13.3 per cent to 11,278 units in May. "We continue to receive strong demand for New City and Honda WRV," HCIL President and CEO Yoichiro Ueno said.