The first month of the ’04 fiscal year has started on the right note for the Indian automotive industry as passenger car sales shot up by 32 percent, thus continuing the positive trend from the last fiscal year. According to data released by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), a total of 56,272 units were sold in April 2004 as compared to 42,499 units in the same month last year.
Go deeper with GlobalData
Discover B2B Marketing That Performs
Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.
Car market leader Maruti Udyog was the biggest beneficiary with a 38.4 percent increase in domestic sales year-on-year to 39,838 units in April. While there was only a minor increase (3.3-percent) in the ubiquitous Maruti 800’s sales, the company’s B-segment models – Zen, Alto and Wagon R – registered a near 100-percent increase in sales. The company’s recent launch of the low end Alto LX model without air conditioning has helped it gain market share.
Hyundai Motors India actually registered a decline of 37.3 percent at 5,667 units in April. This was because of two factors – Hyundai India’s annual plant closing in April and strong overseas demand for the Santro Xing/Atos, which saw output being diverted for export. Hyundai India is presently undergoing a capacity expansion programme.
Tata Motors registered a jump of 52.6 per cent to 9,974 units.
Honda Siel Cars India went up by 117.3 per cent to 2,793 units due to growing sales of the new City.
General Motors India also witnessed a rise of 78.7 per cent to 1,387 units, while Hindustan Motors sales were flat at 1,032 units.
Deepesh Rathore / Tilak Swarup
