MUL regional manager B Mani told The Financial Express on Thursday that there has been an overwhelming response from the customers for Alto's 796 cc LX and 1,061 cc VX 1.1 models priced at Rs 3.17 lakh and Rs 3.86 lakh respectively.

"Of the 300 Alto cars dispatched to seven dealers in Mumbai and one each in Thane and Navi Mumbai last month, majority of them have already been booked," he added.

Mr Mani said that additional 300 Alto cars are expected to be dispatched for Mumbai for the current month. He pointed out that the recent hike in petrol and diesel products has not affected the sale or enquiries from customers for Alto models.

"We are fully aware of the supply constraints to meet the increasing demand from the consumers who are really attracted to the two models of Alto," Mr Mani said. He added that these models have already been cleared by the various regional transport offices.

Mr Mani added that the demand of 1,061 cc VX 1.1, which falls in the B segment, is comparatively higher than the 796 cc model in Mumbai and suburbs. This, he added was similar to the Maruti 800 models where the demand for Maruti 800 deluxe surpasses demand of Maruti 800 standard.

"There is a high demand rate for 1,061 cc VX 1.1 despite the price difference of about Rs 69,000 in Mumbai and around," he noted.

As far as rest of Maharashtra is concerned, Mr Mani said that nearly 150 Alto models were dispatched during last month in nearly 15 outlets. The demand for Alto 796 cc is comparatively higher than the other model in district and taluka places in the state.

Spectra Motors Limited sales manager V Blance said that they have already delivered 15 Alto models to customers and hoped to complete a sale of 50 cars by the end of October. Spectra has tied up with ICICI Bank and HDFC Bank for the car finance scheme with an interest rate of around 15.5 per cent.

According to Resham Motors Ltd executive director Daljit Singh, he would also be able to achieve a sale of nearly 50 cars by the end of this month.

So far, he said around 15 Alto models have been received by him and there has been querries from at least 50 consumers for these models every day.

Resham Motors has tied up with Stanchart for car finance with an interest rate of 15.5 per cent. Furthermore, another leading Maruti dealer, Automotive Manufacturers Limited is flooded with enquiries for Alto models.

A spokesman for this dealer said that the waiting period for the delivery of both models is at present 15 days. It has tied up with the CitiCorp, Countrywide Finance for car finance.