Maruti posts healthy 14.1% growth in Nov; Toyota grows 7%

The end of the calendar year is a time when automakers struggle a bit to push the sales after the high of the October Diwali season, but according to some reports, manufacturers are expecting good growth in November as well.

While more carmakers are expected to release numbers by Saturday, the country's leading car manufacturer Maruti Suzuki India has announced registering 14.1-per cent year-on-year sales growth in November 2017, while rival Toyota saw 7 per cent growth.

The Indo-Japanese Maruti had total sales of 1.54 lakh units compared to the 1.35 lakh units sold in November 2016. The numbers include domestic sales plus exports of both passenger vehicles and the company's light commercial vehicle Super Carry.

Domestic passenger vehicle sales for Maruti last month went up by 14.3 per cent with 1.44 lakh units sold against the 1.26 lakh units that were sold in November 2016.

Exports saw a marginal growth of 0.8 per cent with 9,300 units compared to the 9,225 units exported during the same month last year.

The new Maruti Suzuki Dzire continues to grow in the compact vehicle space. But sales of Maruti Suzuki's mid-size sedan Ciaz have gone down by a massive 26.3 per cent at 4,009 units compared to 5,433 sold in November 2016.

However, compact and utility vehicles have has been growing as always at 32.4 per cent and 34.0 per cent respectively, thanks to the new-gen Dzire and the company's star player Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza.

Toyota India registered 7 per cent growth in total sales in November 2017. Toyota's total sales 13,420 units last month compared to the 12,593 units sold in November 2016. Sales in domestic market were much better with the company's registering a 13 per cent growth with 12,734 units in November 2017, against the 11,309 units sold during the same month last year.

Exports on the other hand saw a massive fall of almost 47-per cent with the company exporting 686 units in November 2017, compared to the 1,284 units exported during the same month last year.

Demand for the Innova Crysta and Fortuner is still high, and company is trying to reduce the waiting period.

Commenting on the monthly sales, N Raja, director and senior vice president, sales & marketing, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said, "The November month has been promising for us with double digit growth. TKM has sustained a positive growth since last three months. With maximum utilization of Plant 1 and maintaining lean inventory we are trying to reduce the waiting period of Innova and Fortuner for our customers.

''We are delighted that our legendary products Innova Crysta and Fortuner continue to witness strong demand in the market. The demand has grown every month since its launch last year in 2016. This positive growth reflects the confidence customers have on Toyota products delivering the best quality, comfort, safety to customers."

While the company hasn't shared individual numbers, the Toyota Etios Liva is also said to have made a considerable contribution to November sales. Also, while demand for Toyota flagship hybrid car, the Camry hasn't seen any major uplift, the company is optimistic customers will ''understand and appreciate the benefits of clean and green-friendly HV (Hybrid Vehicle) technology''.