Auto sales accelerated in January as leading
car makers Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai and Tata Motors and SUV manufacturer Mahindra & Mahindra clocked higher growth rates to reverse the slowdown.
Market leader Maruti Suzuki India saw a turnaround after seven consecutive months of decline with a 2.42 per cent rise in domestic sales to 88,377 units in January, up from 86,285 units in the corresponding period the previous year.
Arch rival
Hyundai Motor India Ltd (HMIL) reported an 11.85 per cent rise in its January sales to 33,900 units from 30,306 units in the same month last year.
Tata Motors also reported a 14.75 per cent increase in domestic passenger vehicles sales to 34,669 units in January, from 30,212 units in the same period last year.
"The year seems to have started on a positive note; domestic sales are showing some buoyancy. But we will have to cautiously watch how this momentum picks up in the months ahead," HMIL director (marketing & sales) Arvind Saxena said.
However, Maruti Suzuki was more circumspect.
The company's managing executive officer (marketing & sales) Mayank Pareek said: "The fundamental weakness in the market still remains. The problems of high interest rates and fuel prices persist and there is also a huge disparity in the demand for petrol and diesel vehicles."
Mahindra & Mahindra posted a 16.1 per cent increase in the sales of passenger vehicles - including Scorpio, XUV500, Xylo, Bolero and Verito - which touched 19,975 units during the month, up from 17,208 units in January 2011.
Toyota Motor reported that an 89.34 per cent increase in sales to 17,395 units in January this year, driven by a strong demand for its latest Etios and Liva models.
Courtesy: Mail Today 
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