Maruti Suzuki sales edged up 3.4% in April, led by higher demand for hatchbacks.
The Indian market leader said passenger car sales totalled 100,415 vehicles, the fourth straight monthly gain after demand slowed last year.
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Strongest performing models were the hatchback Swift, Estilo and Ritz plus the larger DZire car and the company’s utility vehicles.
Total auto sales in India suffered a slowdown in demand in 2011 as many buyers held off purchases due to costly loans and rising fuel expenses. However, demand has picked up as inflationary pressures ease.
Analysts forecast sales will continue to improve following the decision by the central Reserve Bank of India to lower interest rates by 50 basis points last month to spur growth.
The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers predicts car sales will grow 10%-12% in the current financial year after growth slowed to just 2.19% for the fiscal year ended last 31 March.
The rise in Maruti sales came a day after the company announced its cumulative exports had passed 1m. It exports to over 125 countries.
