December continued with the festive trend for most
carmakers as passenger car sales stayed buoyant.
India's largest car maker, Maruti Udyog posted sales of
46,079 cars in December 2005, up 5.1% from 43,828 units a year
earlier.
Maruti sold 43,251 cars in the domestic market, up 16.4% on
the 37,153 sold in December 2004.
However, exports fell 57.6% to 2,828 units from 6,675 units
a year ago due to declining sales of the aging Alto in
Europe.
Domestic market growth was due largely to the A2 segment
range Alto, Wagon-R, Zen and Swift models whose sales grew
36.6% to 28,367 units.
Demand for the new Swift – launched in mid-2005 - well
exceeds supply and the company recently boosted production to
shorten the lengthy waiting list.
Tata Motors domestic passenger vehicle sales rose 35.4% to
13,037 in December. The Indica hatchback sold 6,977 units, a
year-on-year increase of 40%. The Indigo family, which also
includes saloon and estate models, registered sales of 2,753
units last month, up 29% year-on-year. The Sumo UV and Safari
SUV accounted for 3,307 units, a growth of 32%.
Hyundai Motors posted a 19% decline last month to 15,973
vehicles compared with the 19,929 sold in December
2004.
"The decline in sales is primarily on account of a
high base in December 2004 which came on the back of a popular
sales promotion scheme," the company said.
Skoda Auto India reported a 56% rise in December to 789
units compared with 504 units a year ago. Its Octavia and
Superb ranges were recently joined by the Laura (called the
new Octavia in other markets).
General Motors India sold 1,603 locally-designed Taveras,
462 GM-Daewoo-designed Chevrolet Optras and 97 units of the
Opel Corsa. Tavera sales have grown as the ‘’multi-use vehicle
(MUV) has gained a major chunk of the taxi market especially
after Toyota axed its rival Qualis.
Optra sales are slowly declining as launches of new rival
models lure customers away. Ford has recently launched the new
Fiesta saloon and Honda the City ZX and both newcomers are
sure to affect Optra sales.
Deepesh Rathore/Tilak
Swarup
