While Maruti Suzuki India Ltd and Hyundai Motor India Ltd, the largest and second largest passenger carmakers in the country, saw better sales in December, other auto companies remained in the negative zone.

Domestic sales of Maruti stood at 86,613 units last month compared with 82,073 in December 2012. Similarly, Hyundai’s domestic sales were up 6 per cent at 28,345 units against 26,697 units.

“The year 2013 was very challenging and rewarding. Hyundai improved the channels efficiencies, launched a new model, Grand, and made strong initiatives in rural and exchange sales to increase its market share. In 2014, Hyundai will launch many new products and new initiatives to build on this positive momentum,” said Rakesh Srivastava, Senior VP, Sales and Marketing, Hyundai India.

However, companies such as Toyota Kirloskar Motor, Ford India and General Motors India continued to slug it out on the sales front.

Toyota Kirloskar, a joint venture between Toyota Motor Corp and Kirloskar Group, sold 10,648 units in December, down 12 per cent from 12,071 units.

“Market sentiments do not seem to be improving. In the last few months, we have made our best efforts to control inventory both at Toyota Kirloskar and at our dealers end,” said Sandeep Singh, Deputy MD and COO, Marketing and Commercial.

GM India saw sales decline 19 per cent, and sold 5,705 vehicles in December against 7,067 units a year ago.

Ford Motor Co’s Indian arm sold 5,871 units last month, compared with 6,517 units in December 2012.

Mahindra & Mahindra’s passenger vehicles sales dropped 28 per cent to 16,436 units against 22,761 units in December 2012.

However, its commercial vehicles sales grew 5 per cent to 14,399 units from 13,706 units in the year-ago period.

“While an immediate turnaround in the auto industry is not expected without certain policy corrections and support, the worst seems to be over,” said Pravin Shah, Chief Executive - Automotive Division, Mahindra & Mahindra.

>ronendrasingh.s@thehindu.co.in

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