Car sales continue to slide; Honda, Ford defy trend

Automobile manufacturers reported sluggish sales in February due to a slowing economy that is plagued by high fuel and interest costs. Sales of India’s passenger car manufacturer Maruti Suzuki declined marginally by 0.40 per cent in February to 109,104 units due to a fall in exports. The company had sold 109,567 units in February 2013. There was a drop in the company’s exports also. Maruti Suzuki exported just 9,346 units last month, which was 19.50 per cent less than 11,612 units sold overseas during the corresponding month of 2013. However, the company’s domestic sale increased by 1.80 per cent to 99,758 units during the month under review as compared to 97,955 units sold in February 2013. Hyundai Motor’s sales in the month under review fell by 14.9 per cent at at 46,505 units from 54,665 units in the like period of 2013. The company’s exports last month fell by 39.5 per cent at 12,500 units down from 20,663 units being shipped-out during the corresponding month of last year. Other major players in the Indian auto market, Tata Motors and Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) reported a drop in sales. Tata Motors’ total sales, including exports fell 35.56 percent at 39,951 units against 61,998 units in February 2013. The company’s domestic sales including commercial and passenger vehicles in the month under review too decline. The off-take fell by 39.11 percent at 35,315 units from 58,002 units sales in January 2013. M&M’s offtake last month was down 12 per cent at 42,166 units from at 47,824 units in the corresponding month of last year. Toyota Kirloskar Motor closed last month with a total sales of 11,284 units down from 13,979 units sold in February 2013. Ford India reported 68.93 per cent increase in total sales at 12,253 units in February 2014, it said in a statement. Japanese automobile company Honda’s sales during the month under review grew by 123 per cent at 14,543 units from 6,510 units sold in the corresponding month last year.   Deccan Herald