Maruti Suzuki clocks 9.8% YoY sales growth in September, 14.7% in H1

Maruti Suzuki India, the country’s largest carmaker, has reported total domestic sales of 99,290 units in September 2014, a 9.8 percent increase (September 2013:  90,399). In the first six months of the fiscal (April-September 2014), the company has sold 558,330 units, up 14.7 percent over sales a year ago (April-September 2013: 486,908).

While the entry level Alto and Wagon R sales saw a fall of 13.4 percent to 35,547 units last month ((September 2013:  41,061), the quartet of compact cars – the Swift, Ritz and Celerio hatchbacks and Dzire sedan) saw sales grow 18.1 percent to 43,304 units (September 2013: 36,679). The Dzire Tour, solely for fleet operators, sold 1,221 units, up 42.5 percent over sales a year ago.

As regards the upcoming premium Ciaz, which is going to be launched on October 6, the company’s September sales numbers sheet reflects despatches of 1,375 units. The Ciaz replaces the SX4 that has now been withdrawn.

Maruti is betting big on the Ciaz. In a recent interview to Autocar Professional (October 1 issue), chairman R C Bhargava said: “Overall, we have very high expectations from the Ciaz and think it will do very well. We are targeting the same customers as those for the Honda City sedan.” He is also optimistic about Maruti’s overall sales numbers for 2014-15: “It looks like a much better year than what we have had for the past three years and we should see double-digit growth.”

In the UV category, which comprises the Gypsy and Ertiga MPV, Maruti saw sales grow 125 percent to 5,980 units (September 2013: 2,657). The Omni and Eeco vans contributed 11,863 units to total sales, posting an increase of 35.3 percent in September 2014 (September 2013: 8,767).

On the export front, Maruti Suzuki sold a total of 10,452 units, down 28.2 percent but over the half-year, totted up cumulative sales of 63,462 units as against 55,112 units, indicating a growth of 15.2 percent over the previous half-year fiscal.