Budget expectations and the subsequent fall in purchases resulted in a 4.23 per cent drop in passenger car sales during February, 2005, even as the motocycles segment continued its northward movement on the back of improved performances by Bajaj Auto and Hero Honda.
Motorcycle sales registered 16.89 per cent growth at 4,25,077 units last month as against sales of 3,63,655 units in February, 2004.
A total of 62,072 units of passenger cars were sold in the month under review down from 64,819 units in February,
2004, data released today by Society of Indian automobile Manufacturers showed.
However, passenger car sales in the 11-month period of the fiscal (April-February, 2004-05) increased 17.67 per cent at 7,30,425 units against 6,20,705 units sold in the same period last fiscal.
The slowdown in purchases just before the Budget in anticipation of excise duty cuts was among the factors behind the decline of passenger car sales last month.
Domestic sales of the country's largest car manufacturer Maruti Udyog declined 1.69 per cent in February to 33,505 units, primarily due to 40.53 per cent drop in sales of Maruti 800 at 8,038 units last month compared to 13,518 units in February, 2004.
Hyundai Motor India also performed poorly last month with sales dropping 17.63 per cent at 9,518 units as against 11,556 units sold in the domestic market during February, 2004.
While sales of most car markers saw a decline last month, Tata Motors improved its performance selling 12,671 units compared to 9,757 units sold in February, 2004, an increase of 29.86 per cent.
The two-wheeler segment, including scooters, scoterettees and mopeds, had a 12.33 per cent sales growth in the domestic market in February this year at 5,19,900 units against 4,62,810 units in the same period of last fiscal.
Commercial vehicles in February witnessed 13.87 per cent sales rise at 29,407 units against 25,825 units in February, 2004.
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