Sales of commercial vehicles also witnessed a 27.16 per cent rise during the first eight months of this fiscal at 97,792 units as against 77,045 vehicles sold during April-November 1998. However, automobile exports continued to decline over the period, with passenger car exports dropping to 12,375 units in April-November 1999 from 14,270 units in the same period the previous year, according to figures released by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) on Friday.

As far as November is concerned, car sales zoomed by 91.44 per cent at 54,079 units this year compared to 28,249 in the same month the previous year.

Maruti Udyog sold 33,988 units in November as against 19,738 units in the previous year and Hyundai Motor India had sales of 6,971 units in the same period this year. However, commercial vehicles grew by just 2.95 per cent in November at 12,344 units from 11,990 units in the previous year. Sales of medium and heavy trucks stood at 62,851 units during the eight-month period, up 47 per cent from 42,506 units.

Light commercial vehicle sales were 35,121 units during April-November this year, up 1.69 per cent from 34,539 units in the corresponding period the previous year.

Sales of two-wheelers increased from 2,367,207 units during the April-November period compared to 2,193,220 units in the previous year. Scooter sales decreased to 811,087 units in the same period from 867,776 units in the April-November period the previous year. Three-wheelers' sale rose marginally to 132,192 units from 131,087 units in April-November 1998.

Two wheeler segment, on the other hand, was the worst hit by the decline in exports, registering a negative growth of 25.95 per cent at 47,530 units during the eight months of this fiscal from 64,182 units in April-November 1998.

Utility vehicles, however, escaped the declining trend, recording an 80.63 per cent rise in exports during the period.

As many as 12,375 units of passenger cars were exported, down 13.28 per cent from 14,270 units.