January has proved to be a good month for the auto companies with car market leader Maruti Udyog breaking its all-time monthly sales record, followed by rival Hyundai with 49 per cent jump, even as Tata Motors reported the best ever sales of its hatchback Indica since its launch.

Maruti Udyog Ltd on Thursday said it has recorded highest ever monthly domestic sales for January at 62,248 vehicles, a growth of 28.3 per cent over the corresponding month last year.

The latest figures surpassed the previous high of 61,141 vehicles sold in March 2006 (post budget), a company statement said.

Overall, Maruti Udyog sold 65,341 vehicles in January including 3,093 vehicles of exports, it added. In the C segment, which comprises of Omni, Versa, Alto and Wagon-R, the sales grew by 40.8 per cent at 7,603 vehicles compared to sale of 5,401 cars in January 2006.

In A2 segment, which includes the popular models of Zen and Swift, the company sold record 44,736 vehicles in January, a 41.8 per cent growth over the year period.

However, sales in A1 segment (M800 model) dipped by 15 per cent with 7,012 vehicles sold at the end of the month as compared to sales figures of 8,262 cars in January 2006.

Monthly sales figures of high-end A3 segment, comprising the Baleno and Esteem models also showed 13.6 per cent decline in figures recording sales of 2,615 cars in the latest month as against 3,027 vehicles a year ago.

Monthly sales figures of the MUV segment (Gypsy, Vitara) stood at 273, dipping 8.1 per cent over 297 vehicles sold in January 2006. 

Hyundai sales up 49%

Hyundai Motor India on Thursday reported a 49 per cent increase in its domestic vehicle sales during January at 17,460 units as against 11,718 units in the same month previous fiscal.

The total vehicle sales (including exports) in the month were up 33 per cent at 26,661 units compared to 20,045 units in the same month a year ago, Hyundai said in a statement.

The company said sales in January this year have been the highest in the month for HMIL with its flagship hatchback Santro clocking a growth of 78 per cent compared to January 2006.

During the month HMIL sold 23,792 units in the A2 segment, which comprises hatchback Santro and Getz, 2,730 units in the A3 segment comprising sedans Verna and Accent, 70 units in the A4 segment consisting of Elantra, 61 units in A5 segment and 8 units of its SUV Tuscon.

Tata Motors sales up 19%

On the back of the highest ever sales of its hatchback model 'Indica' since launch, homegrown auto major Tata Motors on Thursday reported 19 per cent increase in total vehicle sales in January at 55,440 units (including exports) against 46,635 units in the same month last year.

The company said total passenger vehicle sales stood at 22,801 units in the domestic market, up 10 per cent compared to last year.

The Indica reported its highest ever monthly sales since launch, at 14,466 units, a growth of 14 per cent over January 2006, it added. The Indigo family clocked 3,207 units, a decline of 17 per cent over the same period last year.

The Sumo and Safari accounted for sales of 5,128 units, a growth of 20 per cent over January 2006, with Safari reporting highest ever sales for any month since launch, it added.

On the commercial vehicles front, sales in the domestic market stood at 28,896 units, up 36 per cent over 21,301 units sold in January last year. Medium and Heavy Commercial Vehicles sales stood at 17,097 units, a growth of 31 per cent over January 2006, while Light Commercial Vehicle sales were 11,799 units, a growth of 44 per cent over January 2006.

Cumulative passenger sales for the fiscal in the domestic market stood at 1,79,811 units, an increase of 21 per cent over the previous year, it said. Commercial vehicles in the domestic market for the fiscal were 2,40,594 units, an increase of 46 per cent over last year, it added.