Maruti Suzuki's March sales up 16 percent

Passenger automobile manufacturer Maruti Suzuki on Friday reported a 15.9 percent growth in total sales for March.

The company's total sales stood at 129,345 units during the month -- up from an off-take of 111,555 units during the corresponding period of 2015.

According to the automobile manufacturer, its total sales in the last fiscal grew by 10.6 percent to 1,429,248 units.

"With this the company ended 2015-16 with its highest ever sales of 1,429,248 units, a growth of 10.6 percent. This comprises the highest ever domestic sales of 1,305,351 units and 123,897 units of exports," the company said in a statement.

"For the fourth year in a row, the top four best-selling models in India are from Maruti Suzuki: Alto, Dzire, Swift and WagonR."

The statement added that introduction of new models including S-Cross, Baleno and Vitara Brezza, new technologies, expansion of existing network and launch of company's premium retail channel -- NEXA brought in the incremental numbers.

For last month, the company's domestic sales surged by 14.6 percent to 118,895 units, from 103,719 units sold during the corresponding period of 2015.

In addition, exports augmented by 33.4 percent with 10,450 units shipped out -- from 7,836 units sold abroad in March last year.

Segment-wise, sales of passenger cars rose by 7.4 percent to 92,105 units - from 85,733 units sold in the like month of 2015.

The company's passenger car segment comprises of brands like Alto, WagonR, Swift, Ritz, Celerio, Baleno, Dzire, Dzire Tour, and Ciaz.

Besides, sales of utility vehicles which comprises of brands like Gypsy, Ertiga, S-Cross and the new addition Vitara Brizza augmented by 123.4 percent.

The utility vehicle sales during last month stood at 13,894 units from 6,218 units sold during March 2015.

Off-take in the van segment, which includes brands like Omni and Eeco, grew by 9.6 percent to 12,896 units from 11,768 units sold in the corresponding month of last year.