Auto sales on fast track in Jan

Passenger car sales saw a modest single digit growth in the domestic market in January 2005 at 8.17 per cent even as motorcycles continued their strong run, witnessing a 22.8 per cent jump fuelled by higher demand for Hero Honda and Bajaj Auto bikes.

A total of 77,743 passenger cars were sold in the month against 71,867 units in January 2004, according to figures released by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers.

Flat sales of market leader Maruti Udyog at 38,863 units (38,140) was made up by the double-digit demand rise for Hyundai India and Tata Motor vehicles in the segment.

Passenger car sales in the ten months of the fiscal stood at 6,68,353 units, a growth of 20.2 per cent over 5,55,886 units sold in the corresponding period last fiscal.

Motorcycles, on the other hand, maintained their strong showing with sales rising 22.8 per cent to 4,35,665 units in January 2005 against 3,54,640 units in the same month last year.

Scooter/scooterettee sales, however, dipped 4.62 per cent to 70,490 units against 73,905 units in January 2004.