March 1, 2013: Maruti Suzuki has announced its sales figures for February 2013. Sales of passenger cars fell 10.9 percent from 94,118 units as compared to 83,865 units sold in the year-earlier month.

Sales comprising the Maruti 800, Alto, Wagon R and A-star entry-level hatchbacks were 41,311 units, down 15 percent year-earlier month sales of 49,104 units. The Swift, Estilo and Ritz saw a 13 percent fall to 24,021 units as against 27,899 units. The Dzire sold 18,316 units, up 21 percent over 15,068 units sold in January 2012.

In the SUV segment, sales comprising the Gypsy, Grand Vitara and Ertiga sold 5,957 units as against 230 in the year-earlier month, largely reflecting the numbers brought in by the Ertiga that was launched in April last year. Only two units of the Kizashi were sold in the month.

Incidentally, the Ertiga will not attract the new excise rate proposed in the Union Budget yesterday as its engine size is less than 1500cc. While Maruti’s domestic sales fell by 9 percent to 97,955 units as against 107,653 units, exports rose 2.8 percent to 11,612 units from 11,296 units in January 2012.