Car sales up marginally in March; bike up 3%

The total passenger car sales in the domestic market increased marginally in March to 1,29,358 from 1,28,098 units in the same month last year.

According to the figures released by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) today, motorcycle sales in the country during the month was up by 2.98 per cent at 5,22,000 units as against 5,06,884 units in the corresponding period a year ago.

Total two-wheeler sales in March also jumped by 3.65 per cent at 6,54,017 units compared to 6,30,976 units in the same month last year.

Commercial vehicle sales during the month, however, dipped by 26.22 per cent to 41,881 units from 56,768 units for the year-ago period, SIAM said.

The grand total of all vehicle sales in March soared by 1.09 per cent at 8,93,934 units as against 8,84,313 units in the same month last year.

In the financial year 2008-09, the domestic passenger car sales rose by 1.31 per cent to 12,19,473 units from 12,03,733 units in the April-March period of the earlier fiscal.

Motorcycle sales in the country during the year were up by 1.16 per cent at 58,35,145 units as against 57,68,342 units in 2007-08, SIAM said.

Total two-wheeler sales in FY'09 also increased by 2.60 per cent at 74,37,670 units compared to 72,49,278 units in FY'08.

The sale of commercial vehicle in 2008-09, however, decreased by 21.69 per cent to 3,84,122 units from 4,90,494 units for the previous fiscal, SIAM said.

The total automobile sales in India rose marginally during the fiscal year 2007-08 at 97,23,391 units as compared to 96,54,435 units in the last financial year.