Maruti Suzuki Sept sales up 10% YoY at 93,988 units

India's largest passenger car maker Maruti Suzuki's sales in September rose 10% year-on-year to 93,988 units, as domestic demand remained strong for its DZire compact sedan and the Ertiga multi-utility vehicle, which was launched in April this year.

The company sold 88,801 units in the domestic market last month, up 13% from a year ago, while exports declined 23% to 5,187 units.

Maruti Suzuki sold 11,694 units of the DZire, 24% higher than a year ago, and 7,224 utility vehicles, up from 412 units it sold in September last year.

The surge in utility vehicle sales has been fuelled by the Ertiga MUV, which continues to see strong demand.

Among its other segments, sales of mid-size SX4 sedan gained 47% to 288 units and van sales were up 8% to 12,620 in September. Sales of Maruti's mini cars -- 800, Alto, A-Star and Wagon R -- also gained 5% to 39,150 units.

However, sales of compact cars -- Swift, Estilo and Ritz -- declined 10% to 17,813 units, it said.

Maruti makes the Swift at its Manesar plant, where production was  halted for a month, following workers' unrest, that left a HR manager dead and several other executives injured in July. The company has been slowly ramping up production at the plant.

On a month-on-month basis, Maruti's total sales were up 74%. August sales had been impacted due to the Manesar plant shutdown.

Auto sales in India have hit speed bumps over the last one year due to expensive loans and rising fuel prices.

So far this financial year, Maruti Suzuki's total sales are down 1% to 5,26,272 units. While domestic sales have been flat, exports have slipped 13% between April-Sept. Among key segments, sales of DZire are up 61%, compact car sales gained 12% and utility vehicle sales have zoomed over 900%.

Mini car sales, which are predominantly petrol engine powered, however, are down 21% in the last six months, as many customers started prefering diesel cars due to the huge price differential between the two fuels.

Maruti Suzuki shares were up 1.8% at Rs 1,374.40 on NSE in morning trade on Monday.