Nano steals the show as auto sales surge

Sales data from Maruti Suzuki is expected only next week due to a week-long plant shutdown.

Domestic sales of Hyundai Motor grew 17.6% at 26,168 units,compared to 22,252 units in December 2009. However,exports continued to dip,falling to 21,060 units from 24,965 units last December,down 15.6%.

General Motors India sold 8,468 units,just 2.5% higher from the previous figure of 8,258 units. Meanwhile,Ford,its rival from Detroit,more than doubled its December sales to 4,301 units.

“This has been an outstanding year for Ford in India with nearly triple-digit growth sales. It is also extremely encouraging to see the Figo sweep many prestigious industry awards and it is gratifying to see so many Figos on India’s roads,” Ford India Managing Director Michael Boneham said.

Toyota Kirloskar Motor,which launched the Etios in December,sold 74,759 units in the whole of 2010,up from 54,320 units in 2009. The company did not give specific December data. Toyota also announced reopening of the bookings of Fortuner,its premium SUV.

Mahindra & Mahindra sold 34,062 units,42% more than 24,001 units sold in December 2009. Its passenger vehicle sales rose 28% to 15,601 units,compared to 12,212 units in December 2009. “All our brands have done very well. Going ahead,we are looking at a price hike across levels this month,the exact quantum of which will be announced soon,” said Rajesh Jejurikar,chief executive (automotive division) Mahindra & Mahindra.

TVS Motor sales jumped 46% to 1,49,357 units compared to 1,02,479 units in December 2009. Exports grew 10% to 19,002 units as compared to 17,222 units in the month. Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India total two-wheeler sales stood at 1,30,084 in December,a growth of 10% over last year.

India Yamaha Motor reported a 69.71% increase in its total sales in December 2010 at 34,839 units. In 2010,sales increased by 30.75% to 3,50,264 units from 2,67,895 units in 2009.