Maruti Suzuki domestic sales grow 2 per cent in January 2013

New Delhi, February 1, 2013: Maruti Suzuki India has announced its sales figures for January 2013. The carmaker sold 114,205 units during the month, a 2 percent growth over the 101,047 units sold in January 2011. The company’s entry-level cars (800, A-star, Alto, Wagon R) continue to take a hit and sales at 46,479 units in January 2013 were down 10.7 percent (January 2012: 52,036 units). Sales of the compact cars (Swift, Estilo and Ritz) too were down by close to seven percent at 24,006 units (January 2012: 25,756). The SX4 is fast falling out of favour with consumers and sales, at 1,1012 units (January 2012: 1,939) were down by 47 percent.

What helped Maruti’s numbers was the sustained popularity of the Swift Dzire midsizer, which notched a handsome 97.5 percent growth with sales of 17,060 units (January 2012: 8,637). Cumulatively too, this car has helped boost Maruti’s numbers. Between April 2012-January 2013, the car has sold 131,177 units, up 66.9 percent over the 78,613 units sold in the year-ago period. The Ertiga too is a prime mover for Maruti sales. The MPV, launched in April last year, was the biggest contributor to the 6,095 tally posted in the UV category which includes the Gypsy and Grand Vitara.

On the export front, the company saw a decline of 22.3 percent with sales of 11,179 units (January 2012: 14,386). The company is believed to be working on a renewed strategy to drive exports.