Most carmakers post modest increase in car sales during August

Most automakers, including market leader Maruti Suzuki India (MSIL), posted a modest increase in sales during August even as MSIL's arch-rival Hyundai Motor India (HMIL) cruised through with a 20-per cent jump on the back of new models.

Honda Cars India and Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) reported decline in sales reflecting the slowdown in the auto industry. MSIL said that its domestic sales increased by 8.6 per cent during the month to 1,06,781 units as against 98,304 units in August 2014. Sales of mini segment cars, including Alto and WagonR, comprised 37,665. The company's newly launched premium crossover vehicle S-Cross clocked sales of more than 4,500 units during the month.

HMIL saw its highest-ever monthly domestic sales at 40,505 units last month as compared to 33,750 units in August 2014, up 20.01 per cent. The growth has been led by the new sport utility vehicle Creta, Elite i20 and i20 Active. "While the Creta has done about 7,400 units, other models have also contributed to the overall growth," HMIL senior vice-president (sales and marketing) Rakesh Srivastava said.

Tata Motors' domestic sales of passenger vehicles in August rose two per cent at 11,194 units as against 10,975 units in the same month of previous year. "The growth that we are seeing in the industry is because of the new models," Tata Motors President (passenger vehicles) Mayank Pareek said.

Honda Cars India reported 6.58-per cent decline in domestic sales at 15,655 units in August despite the launch of its new Jazz in July. Utility vehicle major M&M saw its domestic sales decline 3.10 per cent to 32,122 units. "While currently we are witnessing fragmented recovery in auto sales, we are hopeful that the upcoming festive season will provide a much needed fillip to the auto industry," M&M chief executive (automotive division) Pravin Shah said.