Slowing compact car sales weigh on Maruti Suzuki’s domestic sales in August

Falling sales of compact cars, which include models like the Swift, Ritz, Celerio and Dzire, capped the growth in sales numbers for Maruti Suzuki India as the automaker registered an 8.6% rise (August 2014: 98,304 units) in domestic sales at 106,781 units in August 2015.

Sales of compact segment cars came in 11.3% lower at 41,461 units against 46,759 units a year ago. However, sales of the entry level mini segment, which comprises of the WagonR and the Alto, grew 8.6% to 37,665 units. Rising sales in this segment indicate an increase in demand from the semi-urban and rural areas, which had seen a slowdown in the last few months.

Demand for the Dzire Tour (for cabs and fleet operators) remained strong and the company sold 3,172 units as compared to 1,328 units in August 2014. The premium segment Ciaz sedan continued to draw buyers and ahead of the launch of a new hybrid variant, the carmaker managed to sell 4,156 units in August.

With the launch of the S-cross last month, sales of utility vehicles shot up by 42.7% to 7,836 units, while sales of vans also grew 25% to 12,491 units. 

On the export front, Maruti Suzuki saw degrowth in August as the carmaker shipped 11,083 units, 11% lower than the previous year. As a result total car sales for the company in August grew by only 6.4% to 117,864 units against 110,776 units a year ago.