Auto companies post mixed results

Maruti Suzuki India on Monday reported 26.9 per cent increase in its total sales in August at 1,10,776 units as against 87,323 units in the same month of previous year.

Domestic sales during the month stood at 98,304 units, up 29.3 per cent from 76,018 units in August of previous year, Maruti Suzuki India said.

Sales of mini passenger cars, including Alto, A-Star and WagonR were up 8.3 per cent at 34,686 units as against 32,019 units in the previous year.

MSI said during the month, sales of its compact cars, comprising Swift, Estilo, Celerio, Ritz and Dzire were at 46,759 units as against 30,512 units in the year-ago month, up 53.2 per cent.

Dzire Tour sales were at 1,328 units as against 520 units in August last year, up 114.2 per cent.

Sales of mid-sized sedan SX4 were down by 85.6 per cent to 50 units as against 348 units in August of previous year, the company said.

The company's sales of utility vehicles, including Ertiga and Gypsy were at 5,491 units as against 4,563 units, up 20.3 per cent.

Van sales, comprising Omni and Eeco were at 9,990 units as compared to 7,956 units in the previous year, up 25.6 per cent, it said.

Exports in August were up 10.3 per cent to 12,472 units from 11,305 units in the same month of previous year, it added.

Hyundai sales down 8% to 48,111 units

Hyundai Motor India Ltd on Monday reported 8 per cent decline in total sales at 48,111 units in August 2014.

The company had sold 52,319 units in the same month last year, it said in a statement.

In the domestic market, Hyundai sold 33,750 units last month as compared to 28,311 units in August 2013, up 19.2 per cent.

During the month, Hyundai's exports declined by 40.2 per cent to 14,361 units as against 24,008 units in the same period last year.

Commenting on the sales performance, HMIL Senior Vice President (Sales and Marketing) Rakesh Srivastava said the company continued to build on the positive momentum with good response for the new products such as Elite i20, Xcent and the Grand.

"We maintain a cautious optimism for a good festive season on the strength of new products, increase in demand for petrol cars and improving customer sentiments," he added.

Toyota Kirloskar sales down 18.62% in August

Toyota Kirloskar Motor on Monday reported 18.62 per cent decline in total sales at 12,384 units in August 2014.

The company had sold 15,219 units in the corresponding month of previous year, Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) said in a statement.

In the domestic market, TKM sold 11,215 units in August 2014, down 6.59 per cent as compared to 12,007 units in August 2013.

During the month, the company exported 1,169 units of Etios.

Commenting on the sales performance, TKM Senior Vice President (Sales and Marketing) N Raja, said: "We look forward to increased demand in the coming months due to the festive season."

He said the newly launched models, Corolla Altis and Etios Cross continued to generate high demand in the market.

General Motors sales down 36.58% at 4,232 units

General Motors India on Monday reported 36.58 per cent decline in August sales at 4,232 units as against 6,673 units sold in the same month of last year.

The August 2014 sales include 1,305 units of Beat, 1,283 units of Tavera and 688 units of Chevrolet Enjoy, the company said in a statement.

General Motors India Vice President P Balendran said: "There is some positive movement in the market because of new entries. However, the buoyancy is still missing and we expect the market to improve only during the festival season."

Ford India sales up 27.35% in August

Ford India on Monday reported 27.35 per cent increase in total sales at 14,092 units in August 2014.

It had sold 11,065 units in the same month last year, Ford India said in a statement.

However, domestic sales were down 15 per cent to 6,801 units during August as against 8,008 units a year ago, it added.

Ford's exports jumped 136.5 per cent to 7,291 units last month as against 3,057 units in August last year.

Commenting on the sales performance, Ford India Executive Director (Marketing, Sales and Service) Vinay Piparsania said: "We anticipate a continued revival in customer sentiments as we lead up to the festive season and are prepared to meet the higher demand for our cars, including the popular Ford EcoSport."

The company's compact SUV EcoSport reached 1,00,000 units milestone in combined domestic wholesale and export sales in August.

Alongside planning for a third-shift at the Chennai plant, Ford India said it has significantly reduced the waiting period for most variants of the Ford EcoSport to ensure supplies ahead of the festive season.