On Monday, Maruti Udyog Limited posted 5.6 per cent increase in domestic car sales for March 2007, selling 64,556 vehicles as compared to 61,141 vehicles in the year-ago period.

For March, Maruti recorded sales figures of 71,772 including exports of 7,216 units.

Overall in 2006-07, MUL posted a growth of 21 per cent in domestic sales selling around 6.35 lakh vehicles, posting the highest ever annual sales in its history, a company statement said.

"The record sales provided a fitting end to a successful year during which the company launched three new models to a rousing response, began production at its new plant, forayed into the diesel car market and remained on top in customer satisfaction ratings," Maruti said.

In all, the company sold 6,74,924 vehicles during the year, including exports of 39,295 vehicles. In the A2 segment which includes popular models like Zen, Swift, Alto, sales grew by 26 per cent compared to March 2006.

The Maruti Saga

However, the sales of Maruti 800 model for the latest month recorded a dip of nearly 44 per cent at 6,141 vehicles as against 10,937 cars sold in March 2006.

Its annual sales too slowed down by 11.2 per cent over 2005-06 numbers. Sales were powered by mainly the Alto which grew by a whopping 41.1 per cent over the previous year.

This model recorded sales figures at 2,23,846 units which is higher than the total domestic sales of any other car company in India, Maruti said. The company continued to expand its network, with sales outlets growing to 396 in 225 cities (from 350 outlets in 212 cities at the start of the year).