Car market leader Maruti Udyog [Get Quote] on Monday reported a three per cent rise in sales in July this year at 44,753 units against 43,419 units in the same month last year, boosted by a revival in exports and healthy sales of hatchbacks.

The decline in the numbers of the 'M800' model, however, continued with sales dropping 34 per cent to 6,294 units from 9,554 units in July '04.

Domestic sales for the company was marginally up, growing one per cent to 40,553 units in July this year from 40,175 units in the same month last year.

Maruti's sales in the first four months of the fiscal (April-July '05) were almost flat, going down 0.25 per cent to 1,66,619 units against 1,67,043 units in the same period last year.

The Maruti Saga

This was primarily due to decline in export numbers, which declined 28 per cent to 11,093 units from 15,484 units in first four months of last year. Also contributing to the flat sales was the fall in numbers of M800, which dropped 38 per cent to 25,707 units (41,428).

In the month of July, the company saw a 12 per cent growth in the A2 segment -- where it sells models like Zen, Wagon R, Alto and Swift. It sold a total of 25,477 units against 22,833 units in the same month last year.

Combined sales of the 'Omni' and 'Versa' models is up 18 per cent to 6,043 units in July '05 against 5,119 units in the same month last year.

Sales in the mid-size category, where the company sells 'Esteem' and 'Baleno' models, was up nine per cent to 2,534 units from 2,335 units in July '04.

However, sales of the 'Gypsy' and 'Vitara' models were down 39 per cent to 205 units (334).