Honda Siel December sales zoom 195%

Honda Siel Cars India on Friday said its sales soared by 195 per cent in December 2003 to 2,760 units on the back of strong demand for the recently-launched all-new mid-size car City.

The sales during April-December 2003 jumped 36.4 per cent to 13,040 units from 9,556 units a year earlier, a company statement said in New Delhi.

During October-December 2003, the sales surged by 80 per cent to 5,839 units following more demand for City, which competes with cars like Hyundai Accent, Ford Ikon and the 1.6-litre Chevrolet Optra.

Honda Siel Cars India is 99 per cent owned by Japan's Honda Motor Company. One per cent stake is with Sidharth Sriram-promoted Siel Ltd.

The December 2003 sales were also higher by 51 per cent as compared to 1,827 units sold in November 2003, the statement said.

During December 2003, the company sold 2,536 units of City car, a 194 per cent growth over 862 units in the comparable month last year.

Neeraj Garg, head (marketing), said the fourth quarter looked very promising as there was a backorder of about 3,000 units of the new City.

The company also produces luxury car Accord at its plant outside Delhi. It also imports and sells the sports-utility-vehicle CR-V.