Maruti Suzuki achieves 2.2 per cent growth in October

Maruti Suzuki, in October, sold 123,764 units as compared to 121,063 units in the corresponding period last year achieving a growth of 2.2 per cent. In the festival month, the automaker saw a slight change in fortunes as its contenders in the UV segment saw a major jump while its traditional strengths in the A-segment and B-segment saw a slight drop in numbers.

The Vitara Brezza, Ertiga MPV, S-Cross and Gypsy together achieved total sales of 18,008 units as compared to 9435 units a year ago, resulting in a massive 90.9 per cent growth. The other vehicle to achieve good numbers was the D-segment Ciaz sedan which grew by eight per cent thanks to the sales of 6360 units as compared to 5890 units in October 2015.

While the larger vehicles from the Maruti Suzuki fleet have seen growth, the smaller and traditional volume makers for the Indo Japanese automaker have not fared so well in October. Its compact line up of the Alto and Wagon R saw a drop of 9.8 per cent thanks to sales of 33929 units as compared to 37595 units in October 2015. It’s less impactful in the B-segment lineup where the Swift, Dizre, Celerio and Baleno sold 50,116 units as compared to 51,048 units (-1.8 per cent). Its van lineup too has achieved a negative growth of -6.5 per cent as Maruti Suzuki managed to sell only 12790 units as compared to 13677 units in October 2015.

For a company like Maruti Suzuki, which is the market leader in India, to achieve negative growth in its traditional stronghold of hatchbacks indicates the buying trends among consumers in the Indian market. While the drop in numbers may not be so high it is a sign of changing demands.