The total automobile sales in India dropped by 4.7 per cent during the fiscal year 2007-08, at 9,648,105 units as compared to 10,123,988 units in the last financial year.

According to the figures released by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (Siam) on Thursday, the domestic passenger car sales rose by 11.79 per cent in 2007-08 to 12,03,531 units from 10,76,582 units in the April to March period of the earlier fiscal.

Motorcycle sales in the country during the year were down by 11.9 per cent at 57,68,341 units, against 65,47,195 units in 2006-07.

Total two-wheeler sales in FY'08 also slipped 7.92 per cent at 72,48,600 units, compared to 78,72,334 units in the last year.

The sale of commercial vehicle during the 2007-08 fiscal increased by 4.07 per cent to 4,86,817 units from 4,67,765 units for the year, Siam said.

Sales of the domestic passenger car rose by 12.2 per cent in March 2007-08 to 128,074 units from 114,145 units in the same month last year.

As per Siam figures, motorcycle sales in the country during the month were down by 0.04 per cent at 506,884 units, against 507,124 units in the same month year ago.

Total two-wheeler sales in March also slipped by 0.41 per cent at 630,976 units, compared to 6,33,591 units in the same month last year. Commercial vehicle sales during the month increased by 14.16 per cent to 56,262 units from 49,281 units for the year-ago period, Siam said.