Further, our billing numbers are in line with what we had planned for the month, since the objective was to significantly correct our channel inventory. Maruti saw growth coming from two of the most crucial sub-segments – compact cars and utility vehicles. The last time it had posted higher sales than this was in March 2019 when it had sent 145,031 units to its dealers.8 per cent at 50,010 units last month, down from 52,001 units in October 2018, the company said.Sales at Honda Cars also declined by 29.In absolute terms, this was Maruti’s highest sales in any month this fiscal.“We remain optimistic that the positive sentiments of the festive season will lead to a structural recovery in the market,” Pareek said. The last time it had posted higher sales than this was in March 2019 when it had sent 145,031 units to its dealers.Sales at Tata Motors, India’s biggest automaker by value, also declined by 28 per cent at 13,169 units, down from 18,290 units it sold last year. While this could still be a temporary revival in the market sentiment, Maruti’s numbers do hint at a good month for other auto firms too.Sales at Japanese auto major Toyota dropped 6 per cent at 11,866 units, down from 12,606 units it sold last year.
This robust retail performance was contributed by both passenger and commercial vehicles. He said he is hoping this pace in retail sales continues beyond the festive season.Customer response was positive to festive offers and retail sales last month were the highest in this fiscal recording a 70 per cent increase month-on-month, he said.In absolute terms, this was Maruti’s highest sales in any month this fiscal.But other major car makers like Hyundai, the second biggest car maker, followed by Mahindra, Tata Motors, Toyota Kirloskar and Honda Cars continued to report declining sales but improved their sales tally due to demand in festive season, especially during Dhanteras and Diwali.3 per cent more cars to 1,39,121 units last month against 1,35,948 units sold in October last year.. “Retail sales results have been encouraging with retails at 36 per cent more than wholesale,” Mayank Pareek, president, passenger vehicles at Tata Motors, said. Sales at Mahindra and Mahindra, India’s biggest utility vehicle maker, fell 23 per cent to 18,460 units from 24,066 units last year.
