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Auto sales pick up pace in February

Powered by an impressive 46.21 per cent growth in car sales in the first 11 months of the current fiscal, the automotive industry witnessed a 21.44 per cent rise in sales at 436,239 units in February this year.

As many as 50,421 passenger cars were sold in February, 2000 compared to 34,485 during the same month last year, according to figures released by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers or SIAM today.

During the first eleven months of this fiscal, the auto industry grew by 14.81 per cent to touch 43,58,011 units. Passenger cars rose by 49.53 per cent at 5,20,029 units during the April-February period.

The market leader Maruti Udyog Limited or MUL received a severe drubbing as its share in the total passenger car market came down to 68.11 per cent in February against 83.39 per cent a year earlier. During April-February, MUL's share stood at 69.42 per cent, a way down compared to 85.49 per cent share during the first eleven months of the previous fiscal.

On the other hand, Hyundai Motors India Limited's market share increased to 14.93 per cent in February against 8.7 per cent the last year. HMIL enjoyed 12.89 per cent share during the first eleven months compared to 4.25 per cent during the corresponding period of the last fiscal.

While sales of medium and heavy (M&H) commercial vehicles declined by 6.86 per cent at 9,199 units, light commercial vehicles were up by 35.58 per cent at 5,456 units.

However, the M&H segment moved up by 49.78 per cent at 101,145 units during first eleven months of 1999-2000. The light commercial vehicle or LCV category rose by 6.11 per cent at 53,693 vehicles.

In the two-wheelers segment, scooters grew by 5.8 per cent at 108,308 units and 4.78 per cent at 1,133,916 vehicles during the eleven-month period.

Motorcycles were up by 36.82 per cent at 175,485 units and 29.33 per cent to touch 1,599,191 vehicles during the same period.

Mopeds registered a 11.61 growth at 59,699 units and a 7.44 per cent rise at 654,884 vehicles.

Multi-utility vehicles were up by 22.93 per cent at 12,467 units and 6.43 per cent 108,176 vehicles in February and the first eleven months, respectively.

Three-wheelers, however, declined by 8.41 per cent at 15,204 units in the month of February and 2.24 per cent at 186,977 vehicles during April to February, the figures revealed.

UNI

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