Maruti Suzuki sales in August 2012 dips around 40pc

Maruti Suzuki total sales stood at 54,154 units in August 2012. This includes 4,025 units for export. The company had sold a total of 91,442 units in August 2011. Owing to the lock out at the Manesar plant (21st July 2012 to 20th August 2012) the supply of Swift, Dzire, SX4 and A-star models was impacted. Customers extended strong support to the company, reflected in higher retail sales of other models. The combined retail sales for July and August 2012 were 145,087 units, a growth of 6.7pc over the same period last year. As a result of the strike, every segment of the car sales recorded negative growth. In the Mini segment with its M800, A star, Alto and wagon R, the company sold 22,062 units in August 2012 (37,495 units), thereby recording a 41.2pc dip. Similarly, in the compact segment with its Swift, Estila and Ritz, it sold 6,059 units (16,043), registering a minus 62.2pc. In the Super segment with its Dzire, it sold 3,085 units (7,856), a dip of minus 60.7pc. SX4 in the mid-size segment scored 447 units (1893 units) recording a degrowth of minus 76.4pc. In the Executive segment, the company scored a duck with the Kizashi. In the utility segment with its Gypsy, Ertiga and Grand Vitara itrecorded positive growth with sales of 6,883 units as compared to 1,290 units. But then the Ertiga was launched only in April 2012 and the sales figures of August 2012 does not include Eritga. In the vans segment with its Omni and Eeco it sold 11,593 units as compared to 12,500 units last August. Total exports too dipped by 72pc from 14,356 units last August to 4025 units this August 2012.