Maruti, Tata Motors report surge in March sales - BL

Maruti Udyog Ltd (MUL) on Monday reported 14 per cent jump in March sales to 71,772 vehicles, up from 63,196 units a year ago, mainly from increPublishased demand for the Zen Estilo and diesel-powered Swift hatchbacks.

MUL said that it sold 64,556 units in the domestic market, up six per cent from 61,141 units a year earlier.

Exports more than tripled to 7,216 units (2,055 units).

For the fiscal ended March 31, the company sold 6,74,924 units, up 20 per cent from 5,61,822 units sold in the previous year.

Maruti is 54.2 per cent owned by Suzuki Motor Corp, Japan's largest maker of minicars.

"Sales showed robust growth throughout the fiscal, but more significantly in the second half," MUL said in the statement.

Hyundai Motor

Meanwhile, Hyundai Motor India Ltd (HMIL) reported 22.8 per cent jump in domestic vehicle sales in 2006-07 to 1,95,261 units, even as domestic sales in March this year dipped 14.31 per cent to 19,300 units.

The company had reported domestic sales of 22,524 units during March 2006.

Total sales (including exports) in March 2007 declined 5.9 per cent to 28,239 units (30,038 units), the company said in a statement.

"The 2006-07 results are encouraging and we have maintained our growth rate in the market here," said HMIL Managing Director Mr H.S. Lheem.

"Our exports are growing rapidly and once we overcome our production constraints with additional capacity, we will grow even faster."

Tata Motors

Tata Motors reported 11 per cent jump in vehicle sales (including exports) during March to 62,779 units (56,406 units).

The company said that it recorded the highest passenger vehicle sales in a month during March at 25,760 units, up 14 per cent over the same month last year.

Exports in the month, however, declined 33 per cent to 6,299 units (6,508 units).

For the fiscal ended March 31, the company reported cumulative sales of 5,79,378 units (4,54,345 units), up 28 per cent.