The Hindu Business Line : After a two-month slump, car sales rise 14.8% in Aug

DOMESTIC passenger car sales rose 14.8 per cent in August, after a decline of two consecutive months during which demand had suffered as a result of heavy floods in two key markets and increased vehicle prices due to stricter emission norms and higher taxes.

According to data released by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), two-wheeler sales also recovered to post 17.91 per cent growth in August compared with the same month last year.

Total domestic passenger car sales in August 2005 stood at 72,165 units, against 62,845 units in the same month last year, the SIAM data showed.

The growth in car sales in August was led by Hyundai Motor India, which recorded a 50 per cent jump in sales during the month, while market leader Maruti Udyog registered 12.39 per cent growth. Sales of the other leading player in the compact and mid-sized car segment, Tata Motors, however, saw a marginal decline.

The cumulative sales of cars in the April-August period this year increased by 5.32 per cent at 3,32,159 units, against 315,370 units in the corresponding period last year.

Meanwhile, two-wheeler sales jumped by 17.91 per cent to 7,08,214 units in August, against 6,00,629 units in the same month last year.

Two-wheeler sales growth was mainly on the back of heightened motorcycle sales, which increased by 25 per cent.

Market leader Hero Honda Motors Ltd saw 27 per cent growth clocking 2,38,104 units (1,87,265 units).

Its nearest rival Bajaj Auto also posted impressive sales growth of 32.25 per cent at 1,33,685 units (1,01,081 units).

Commercial vehicle sales were also up by 18.17 per cent at 27,503 units (23,273 units).

Growth in commercial vehicles was fuelled by 77 per cent growth in the sales of goods carriers of market leader Tata Motors, which clocked 6,481 units in August 2005 as against 3,663 units last year.

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