Buoyed by high demand during Diwali, easier availability of finance and introduction of new products, major auto manufacturers in the country reported an increase in sales in October. Hero Honda Motors, the country’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer, reported a marginal growth of 0.5% in sales last month at 3,54,156 units as against 3,52,449 units during the same month last year.

Total sales of Chennai-based TVS Motors also went up by 12% in October this year at 1,31,029 units, against 1,17,101 units in the corresponding month of the previous year.

Even car manufacturer General Motors India registered a jump of 15% in sales in October at 7,413 units, vis-à-vis 6,465 units in October 2008 on the back of its recently launched Chevrolet Cruze.

This comes on the backdrop of new products introduced by these players in the market. While Hero Honda recently launched its new premium bike, the fuel-injected ZMR, along with a refreshed version of the best-selling Hunk in the premium segment and a special edition of Splendor+, GM India launched the Chevrolet Cruze to compete with Honda Civic and Corolla Altis.