Maruti Suzuki, Mahindra & Mahindra, Hyundai sales growth on cruise control

Tata Motors' total passenger vehicle sales in the domestic market stood at 15,209 units in January, down 56.13 per cent from 34,669 units in the same month last year.

Toyota Kirloskar Motor also reported 23.37 per cent decrease in its domestic car sales at 13,329 units in January 2013. It had sold 17,395 units in the same month last year.

Commenting on numbers, Toyota Kirloskar Motor Deputy Managing Director and COO (Marketing and Commercial) Sandeep Singh said: "The market is still witnessing a slowdown, especially the passenger car segment. The prospects for the second half of 2013 look better. The repo rate cut is a welcome step".

With the budget round the corner, we are looking for some more measures that will bring about positive growth, he added.

General Motors India reported 7.92 per cent decline in its sales at 7,588 units last month. It had sold 8,241 units in the same month of 2012.

"The market continues to remain depressed for the automobile sector because of various negative factors, including high interest rates and poor economic conditions.

Passenger car segment in January this year is down by 13 per cent compared to January 2012," GM India Vice President P Balendran said.

If the current macro economic uncertainties continue, the market is not expected to turn around in the short-term, he added.

"Although there is a positive direction with a small interest cut by the RBI, the market is expected to improve only in the second quarter, that too if we get a growth-oriented Budget," Balendran said.

Car maker Ford India's domestic sales went down by 33.65 per cent to 6,062 units in January this year as against 9,137 units in the same month last year.

Commenting on the sales performance, Ford India Executive Director (Marketing, Sales and Service) Vinay Piparsania said: "To offset the prevailing tough conditions and introduce buoyancy into the market, we hope the government will introduce regulatory policies that are conducive to the growth of the automotive industry."

... contd.

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