Car makers see robust sales growth in December

New Delhi: Major carmakers reported robust sales in December as consumers tried to benefit from low excise duty which was to end on December 31. India’s largest carmaker Maruti Suzuki posted  a 13 per cent increase in its domestic car sales. As far as exports was concerned, the company sales grew by 171 per cent in December. For Maruti, total sales (domestic and exports) grew by 20 per cent in December.

Hyundai Motor India (HMIL), the country’s second largest car manufacturer posted 14.7 per cent growth in sales in Dece-mber in the domestic market. The company’s exports grew by 29.6 per cent in December. Due to this, Hyundai’s overall sales grew by 21 per cent in December. “In the challenging market conditions of CY 2014, Hyundai did all time record high sales of 4.11 lakh units with all time high projected market share of 21.8 per cent in passenger cars on the strength of strong product portfolio and customer focused strong channel,” said Rakesh Srivastava, senior VP (sales and marketing), HMIL.

Toyota Kirloskar Motor sold 11,740  units in December 2014 in the domestic market as compared to 10, 648 in the same month last year,  registering a growth of 10 per cent. “In continuation of the November upswing, we have registered growth in the domestic and overall sales in December as well.

This momentum can be attributed to the year ending. Customers have appreciated our Remember December campaign,” said  N. Raja  director and SVP (sales and marketing), Toyota.
General Motors India, however, reported a 36.56 per cent decline in sale. “Demand continues to remain suppre-ssed due to high interest rates. Also, withdrawal of excise duty is a big jolt for the   industry,” said P. Balendran, VP, General Motor India.