Maruti Suzuki’s domestic sales in September up 6.8%

Domestic sales of the country’s largest carmaker, Maruti Suzuki grew 6.8% in September to 106,083 units against 99,290 units sold a year ago.

Slower-than-anticipated off take of the S-cross coupled with weak growth in sales of the entry level mini segment, which comprises of the WagonR and the Alto, capped the automaker’s sales in September.

The sales of the utility vehicle segment, which comprises of the S-Cross, Gypsy and Ertiga models grew by only 5.9% in September to 6,331 units against a near 43% rise to 7,836 units in August.

The recent trend of customers opting for larger cars was visible in Maruti’s September sales as sales of the company’s mini segment, which comprises of the Alto and the WagonR, remained flat at 35,570 units.

Sales of compact cars, which include models like the Swift, Ritz, Celerio and Dzire, grew by 3.5% in the month to 44,826 units.

On the upside, demand for the Dzire Tour (for cabs and fleet operators) remained strong and the company sold 3,229 units as compared to 1,221 units in September 2014.

The premium segment Ciaz sedan, with a new diesel hybrid model, drew more buyers and the company sold 4,291 units in the month. The Ciaz comes under the mid-size segment and was launched in October last year.

Sales of the vans segment, which comprise of the Eeco and the Omni, fell marginally to 11,836 units against 11,863 units a year ago.

On the export front, Maruti Suzuki saw degrowth in September as the carmaker shipped 7,676 units, 26% lower than the previous year. As a result total car sales for the company in September grew by a meager 3.7% to 113,759 units.