Indian Auto shifts to top gear

During March 2004, the company sold 52,700 units, including 8,282 exports. This is the highest ever sale in the domestic market in a month by Maruti. This is also the highest ever export in a month by the company.

India’s most popular car, Maruti 800, strengthened its leadership with a 17 per cent growth even as Maruti’s partnership with State Bank of India and its associate banks enabled it to reach car finance to smaller towns and cities across the country.

During the year, Maruti consolidated its leadership in the A2 (premium compact) segment, with Alto growing by over 130 per cent and finishing as the country’s fastest growing A2 Segment model for the year.

With the launch of Grand Vitara XL-7 during the year, Maruti marked its entry into the top-end Luxury SUV segment.

2.5 % for TVS

TVS Motor Co.’s sales climbed a little over one million units during 2003-04, a 2.5 per cent growth over the previous fiscal.

March 2004 sales grew by 18 per cent to one lakh units.

41.8 % for Ford

Ford India reported a 41.8 per cent sales growth during the fiscal due to rising sales of the mid-size sedan, ’Ikon’. The company sold 21,700 units during 2003-04. In March 2004, Ford sold 3,200 cars, its highest ever.

23.4 % for Hero Honda

Hero Honda motors said its sales grew by 23.4 per cent during 2003-04. A total of 20.7 lakh units were sold during the last fiscal and 1.92 lakh units were sold in March 2004.

3.1 % for Bajaj

Bajaj Auto Ltd has clocked a 3.1% growth in two-wheeler sales for the fiscal year ended March 31 at 12,88,259 units compared to 12,49,104 units in 2002-03. It recorded a 5.2 per cent growth in sales of two and three wheelers for ’04 at 15,17,413 units (14,42,963 units in ’03), BAL said. (PTI)