Hyundai and Honda clock double-digit sales growth in March

March was a mixed bag for the auto sector with companies like Hyundai and Honda clocking double-digit growth while market leader Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL) posting a marginal increase in sales. Ford and Mahindra and Mahindra (M&M) saw sales falling during the month as the slowdown continued.

Honda Cars India posted a growth of 23 per cent in March, albeit on a low base, riding on the success of its sedans Amaze and City.

The company registered its highest ever monthly domestic sales of 22,696 units up from 18,426 units in the same month last year.

Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) sold 39,525 units last month compared with 35,003 units in March 2014, up 12.9 per cent. HMIL senior vice-president (sales and marketing) Rakesh Srivastava said, "The 2015 outlook seems challenging as there is low traction with weak delivery on macroeconomic parameters and low consumer sentiment."

MSIL said that its domestic sales increased by 1.4 per cent during the month to 1,03,719 units as against 1,02,269 units in March 2014. Sales of mini segment cars, including, Alto and WagonR, rose marginally to 40,159 units as compared to 40,085 units while sales of compact segment comprising Swift, Estilo, Ritz, Dzire declined by 12.5 per cent to 38,710 units in March.

The company, however, closed fiscal 2014-15 with its highest-ever sales at 12,92,415 units, up 11.9 per cent from 11,55,041 units in 2013-14. The previous high was in 2010-11, when the company had sold 12,71,005 units.

Utility vehicle major M&M saw its domestic sales declining by 15 per cent to 41,193 units last month as against 48,490 units a year earlier.

Likewise, Ford India's domestic sales were down 17.35 per cent at 5,253 units last month from 6,356 units a year ago. General Motors India reported 35.5-per cent decline in sales at 4,257 units in March as against 6,601 units in the same month last year.