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Auto segments record mixed sales in FY '99-00

Sales of medium and heavy vehicles rose by 42 per cent at 34,287 units, while light commercial category declined by around two per cent at 20,706 units during the first five months of fiscal 1999-2000, against the corresponding period of the previous year.

The fall in light commercial vehicle was due to drop in sales by Telco and Ashok Leyland by around 11 and 63 per cent at 12,956 and 77 units respectively.

Overall, commercial vehicles registered a rise of 21 per cent at 54,993 units during the period ended August 31. Two-wheelers, on the other hand, could manage only 6.3 per cent gain at 1.429 million and three-wheelers were up by just 1.32 per cent at 80,685 units.

In two-wheelers category, sales of scooters were down by eight per cent at 499,822 units against the previous figure of 544,630, while motorcycles were up by 24 per cent at 646,787 compared to 518,808. Mopeds inched up by 0.7 per cent at 282,909 units.

In medium and heavy vehicles, Telco and Ashok Leyland were up significantly. While Telco was up by 8,620 at 22,407 units, Ashok Leyland sold 11,832 units, higher by 2,673.

Hindustan Motors, however, declined by more than 100 per cent at 48 units. Figures for Volvo were not available.

In light commercial vehicles, except Telco and Ashok Leyland, everyone registered a rise, including Eicher Motors Limited, Mahindra and Mahindra Limited, Bajaj Tempo and Swaraj Mazda. However, data for Daewoo Motors were not available.

Among scooters, while Kinetic Motor Company and TVS-Suzuki registered an increase, Bajaj Auto, LML and Maharashtra Scooters Limited declined. Figures for Scooters India Limited were not available.

Royal Enfield Motors was the only company in motorcycles which could not manage to climb. All others, including Bajaj Auto Limited, Escorts Yamaha, Hero Honda and TVS Suzuki moved upwards.

Though mopeds showed a rise, sales of four companies out of five fell. Only TVS-Suzuki was the only company to show a rise. All others -- Bajaj Auto, Escorts Yamaha, Kinetic Engineering and Majestic Auto -- recorded a fall.

In three-wheeler category, Bajaj Auto was the only company to register a decline. While Bajaj Tempo and Scooters India went up, figures for Greaves Limited and Mahindra and Mahindra were not available.

In lines with trends of sales, exports of medium and heavy vehicles moved up by 660 units at 1,637, while that of light vehicles declined significantly by 1,461 at 871.

Similarly, exports of two-wheelers also registered a decline. However, motorcycles, mopeds and three-wheelers showed completely different pictures than what was shown by sales figures. Exports of all these categories declined.

UNI

Business