Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai report dip in vehicle dispatches in Aug

Sales of mini cars, comprising Alto and S-Presso, declined to 10,648 units last month as against 12,209 units a year ago

Leading automakers Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai and Tata Motors reported decline in wholesales in August as the companies curtailed vehicle dispatches amid drop in demand and to cut inventories at dealer level.

Market leader Maruti Suzuki India said its total domestic passenger vehicle wholesales were at 1,43,075 units last month as compared to 1,56,114 units in the year-ago month, registering a dip of 8 per cent. Sales of mini segment cars, comprising Alto and S-Presso, declined to 10,648 units last month as against 12,209 units a year ago.

Dispatches of compact cars, including Baleno, Celerio, Dzire, Ignis and Swift, also saw a decline of 20 per cent to 58,051 units as compared to 72,451 units in the year-ago month.

Utility vehicle dispatches, consisting of Grand Vitara, Brezza, Ertiga, Invicto, Fronx and XL6, however rose to 62,684 units last month as compared to 58,746 units earlier.

In a virtual press conference, Maruti Suzuki India (MSI) Senior Executive Officer (Marketing & Sales) Partho Banerjee said the company reduced vehicle dispatches by 13,000 units in August.

The company's inventory stock level, which was at 38 days in the beginning of August, has now come down to 36 days, he added.