Maruti, Hyundai clock double-digit growth in July

Sales of the compact segment comprising Swift, Estilo, Ritz, Dzire and Baleno increased by 4.1 per cent to 50,362 units

Country's largest car-maker Maruti Suzuki India (MSI), on Monday, posted a 12.7 per cent rise in its total sales in July at 137,116 units as against 121,712 units in the same month a year ago.

The company posted its best ever monthly domestic sales at 125,778 units, up 13.9 per cent from 110,405 units in July 2015.

Sales of mini segment cars, including, Alto and WagonR, however, declined by 7.2 per cent to 35,051 units as compared to 37,752 units in the year-ago month, MSI said in a statement.

The company said sales of the compact segment comprising Swift, Estilo, Ritz, Dzire and Baleno increased by 4.1 per cent to 50,362 units in July this year as against 48,381 units in the corresponding month last year.

Hyundai Motor India Ltd reported a 10.7 per cent increase in total sales at 55,807 units in July.

The company had sold 50,411 units in the same month last year, HMIL said in a statement.

In domestic market, Hyundai sold 41,201 units last month as compared with 36,503 units in July last year, a growth of 12.87 per cent.

MSI said sales of its compact sedan Dzire Tour declined by 9.2 per cent during the month under review at 3,059 units as against 3,370 units in July 2015. Sales of mid sized sedan Ciaz rose two-fold to 5,162 units during the month.

Sales of utility vehicles, including Gypsy, Grand Vitara, Ertiga, S-Cross and recently launched compact SUV Vitara Brezza surged over two-fold to 17,382 units in July this year from 6,916 units in the corresponding month last year.

Sales of vans - Omni and Eeco - rose 24.1 per cent to 14,748 units in July this year as compared to 11,887 units in the same period of the previous year.

Exports during the month rose marginally to 11,338 units as compared to 11,307 units in July last year, MSI said.

Exports rose by 5 per cent to 14,606 units as against 13,908 units in the same period last year.

Commenting on the sales performance, HMIL senior vice-president (sales and marketing) Rakesh Srivastava said the company continued to sustain growth trajectory on the strength of strong pull performance of Grand i10, Elite i20 and Creta.

The market has showed improved customer sentiments led by good monsoon, low inflation, reduced interest rates and dropping fuel prices, he said.

Photographs: Reuters