Maruti Suzuki experiences 1% decline in sales for Jan 2013

Of the total sales made in Jan 2013, 103,026 units were sold in domestic markets while exports during the same month totaled 11,179 units. Respective figures for Jan 2012 stood at, 101,047 and 14,386 units. Top performers for Jan 2013 for Maruti Suzuki India were Alto 800 (28,685 units), DZire (17,060 units), Swift (18,929 units), Wagon R (14,981 units), and Eritga (5,983 untis).

Increased domestic sales were recorded specially where the company’s Dzire compact sedan was concerned. During January 2013, the company sold 17,060 units of this model as against 8,637 units sold in the same month in the previous year. Passenger cars sold totaled 88,557 during January 2013 as compared to 88,377 units sold in January 2012. MSIL utility vehicles of Gypsy, Grand Vitara and Ertiga also saw increased sales during January 2013 with a total of 6,095 units sold as compared to just 231 units in January 2012. This resulted in total domestic sales in January 2013 reaching the 1,03,026 limit as against 1,01,047 units sold in January 2012.

MSIL has also planned increased investment to the tune of INR 4,000 crores to set up a new plant in Hansalpur, Gujarat. This plant will be concentrating on exports given its location at the western frontier of the country and its well developed port infrastructure. From this plant the company will be effecting exports to Europe, Africa and the Middle East as the plant becomes fully operational from mid 2015. Another plant is also in the works, which is located 40 kms from the Hansalpur plant. It will too be built at an investment of INR 4,000 crores and will be commissioned by 2017. Maruti Suzuki India aims to topple Hyundai India and become the largest car exporter once these new plants are operational.