Car sales dip 22% in Sept

Our Corporate Bureau

New Delhi, Oct 3: The depressed sentiment in the economy continued to have an adverse impact on car sales with industry sales dropping by nearly 22 per cent in September, compared to the same month last year.

Maruti Udyog Limited recorded a 6-per cent growth in the first half of the current fiscal. The company sold 1,70,269 units in April-September 2001 against 1,61,370 units in the same period last year, a company statement said.

Prospective customers deferred purchase, owing to an extended inauspicious period. This hurt car sales, especially in north India. Despite the sluggish trend, Maruti sold 28,745 units in September 2001. With this, its market share climbed to 62 per cent compared to 58 per cent in September 2000.

Hyundai Motor said its car sales have declined by 18.2 per cent at 6,781 units in September.