[sustran] 6-year-high car numbers raise Nov vehicle sales 46%

[Vinay Baindur]

*Date:09/12/2009* *URL:
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2009/12/09/stories/2009120952860100.htm*
------------------------------



* 6-year-high car numbers raise Nov vehicle sales 46% * * Commercial
vehicles post 98% growth. *

Our Bureau

New Delhi, Dec. 8

Climbing a steep incline from the extremely low base of last year, the sales
growth in the commercial vehicle and the passenger car segments in November
have been among the strongest in recent history.

Other reasons for the robust performance include low financing rates for new
vehicles and improved demand from consumers.

While domestic commercial vehicle (CV) sales have continued the positive
trend of the last month, with a 98 per cent growth, as compared to the 52
per cent in October 2009, even the passenger car segment is on a six-year
high.

According to a Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) official,
the passenger car segment which grew 61 per cent in November had last scaled
such heights in February 2004, when it grew 73.1 per cent.

Vehicle sales, meanwhile, have risen 46 per cent in the month. According to
SIAM data, total vehicle sales in the domestic market for the month stood at
1,037,133 units, against 711,363 units in the same period last year.

COMMERCIAL VEHICLES

Led by Tata Motors, Volvo-Eicher, Ashok Leyland and Mahindra, commercial
vehicle (CV) sales in November have been strong at 40,847 units. This is
against 20,631 units sold in the same month last year. According to a SIAM
official, the main reason behind the strong numbers is the extremely low
base of last year.

Ms Vaishali Jajoo, Auto Analyst, Angel Broking, commented, “Besides the low
base effect, the pick up in manufacturing activity, reflected in the strong
IIP (Index of Industrial Production) figures, and the delivery of buses
under the JNNURM (Jawaharalal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission) scheme
have all supported the growth of the CV segment.”

PASSENGER VEHICLES

While domestic passenger car sales were at 1,33,687 units, overall passenger
vehicles (PVs) posted a 67 per cent jump at 1,66,653 units. In the same
month last year, sales stood at 1,00,066 units.

Among passenger cars, Maruti Suzuki remained the clear market leader with
the highest sales at 67,786 units, a growth of 57 per cent. The company was
followed by Hyundai and Tata Motors which posted a sales growth of 93 and 48
per cent respectively.

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