Passenger Car Sales Skid In July

MUL's car sales fell 26 per cent to 27,665 units in July from 37,404 units a year ago. However, the market leader's market share increased from around 46 per cent reported in June 2000 to 58.39 per cent in July this year. But a year earlier, MUL's market share was 68.45 per cent.

According to figures released by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), the two Korean car manufacturers -- Hyundai Motor India (HMIL) and Daewoo Motors India (DMIL) -- saw their sales soar.

DMIL sold 4,110 cars in July this year compared to 2,801 last year (increase of 47 per cent). Hyundai sold 7,265 cars in July compared with 4,949 in the same month last year -- thereby recording a 47 per cent growth in sales. However, out of 7,265 cars, HMIL exported 884 units.

Tata Engineering also recorded negative growth in car sales. Indica sales fell 14.47 per cent to 3,583 units during July 2000 from 4189 units in the same month last year.

The other sectors of the economy -- barring motorcycles, multi-utility vehicles and three-wheelers -- also witnessed a recessionary trend. Scooter sales fell 14.32 per cent, commercial vehicles saw a 3.49 per cent drop in sales and moped sales were lower 1.23 per cent during July 2000.

Sales of motorcyles, multi-utility vehicles and three wheelers rose during the month 22.79 per cent, 16.22 per cent and 5.87 per cent respectively.