Maruti Udyog Ltd, the country's largest carmaker, on Monday said its sales fell by 4.2 per cent in August due to lower production following a prolonged strike at one of its major component suppliers.

The company sold 32,127 vehicles during the month against 33,537 units in August last year, the company said in a statement.

While domestic sales declined by 3.2 per cent to 29,443 units, exports went down by 13.2 per cent to 2,684 units.

The cumulative (April-August 2003) stood higher by 40.6 per cent at 177,925 vehicles as against 126,529 units a year ago.

"As informed last month, production at Maruti was affected owing to a strike at our major vendor, DCM Engineering, which supplies the bulk of our requirement of an important engine component," the release said.

"Although alternative arrangements are being made, a shortfall with respect to our requirement continues," it added.

Maruti said efforts were on to increase the manufacturing capability of its alternative suppliers and enable them to supply higher quantities of the component.