Maruti, Hyundai post double digit sales growth in November

Car market leader Maruti Suzuki India, rival Hyundai Motor India and utility vehicle major Mahindra & Mahindra posted double-digit growth rates in November while others like Honda Cars and Toyota saw a decline in sales during the month.
Maruti Suzuki India (MSI) said its domestic sales rose by 10.6 per cent during the month to 1,10,599 units as against 1,00,024 units in November last year.
Sales of the company's small cars, including Alto and WagonR, declined by 4.7 per cent to 35,981 units compared with 37,746 units in the year-ago month.
Dispatches in the compact segment comprising Swift, Estilo, Ritz, Dzire and recently launched Baleno rose by 19.5 per cent to 44,626 units during the last month.

Rival Hyundai Motor India also saw its monthly domestic sales rising to 43,651 units last month compared with 35,511 units in November 2014, up 23 per cent.
"Hyundai achieved cumulative 4 million domestic sales milestone with strong performance of 43,651 units this month, growing by 23 per over last year, on the strength of strong demand for its new age youthful product portfolio, led by CRETA, i20, Grand i10 and good festive season," HMIL Senior Vice-President (Sales and Marketing) Rakesh Srivastava said.

Mahindra's domestic sales were up 23 per cent to 39,383 units last month as against 32,100 units in November last year.

"The festive season, coupled with new product launches as well as moderation in interest rates, has seen the auto industry post a positive growth during the last couple of months," M&M Chief Executive (automotive division) Pravin Shah said.
The speedy implementation of GST will help and have a long-term impact on the competitiveness of Indian auto industry, he added.
Ford India's domestic sales were at 8,773 units last month, up 54.97 per cent from 5,661 units a year ago. Driven by strong response for its entry level car Kwid, French auto firm Renault reported over twofold jump in sales at 7,819 units in November. It had sold 3,201 units in the same month last year.

However, Honda Cars India Ltd (HCIL) reported a 3.61 per cent decline in its domestic sales at 14,712 units in November. It had sold 15,263 units in the same month last year.
Commenting on the November sales, Abdul Majeed - Partner
Price Waterhouse and an auto expert said: "OEM with the attractive prices and new launches as well as external positive factors such as low interest rates, low fuel prices and pent up demand are helping the auto industry to register robust growth".
"With the positive economic outlook, auto industry will grow. However, there are two key risk factors going forward which might impact the growth; one is subdued rural demand and second is potential increase in inflation," he added.