Car sales hit the fast lane in Sept

Car sales jumped 20.8 per cent in September 2004 ramming first half sales for the year beyond 24 per cent. Nearly 70,500 cars were sold this September, with 3.85 lakh units sold since April 2004, ensuring leading carmakers make good in their Q3 results.

Around 3.2 lakh units were sold April-September 2003 and around 56,700 in September last year, according to the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers. This boom is largely due to sales by Tata Motors, Maruti Udyog and arch-rival Hyundai Motors. Even though sales of Maruti Udyog’s M800 slumped 28 per cent, its overall sales grew 24 per cent in September to 43,949 units, over 34,543 units last September.

MUL’s exports surged 82 per cent to 3,627 units, while domestic sales grew 24 per cent at 40,322 units.

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Bus and truck makers also fared well, with commercial vehicle sales up 18 per cent to over 27,700 units in September, against 23,527 units last year. Also, 1.40 lakh commercial vehicle units were sold, compared to 1.09 lakh units, April through September, a year ago.

Two-wheeler sales also rode north, rising 13 per cent to 5.44 lakh units in September, over 4.81 lakh units in September 2003. First half sales of two-wheelers were boosted as well, rising 13.18 per cent to nearly 29 lakh units compared to 25.4 lakh units last year.