Maruti sees 19% growth in festive season

Maruti Suzuki India Ltd, the country's largest carmaker, is seeing a surge in deliveries as it fulfils long-standing orders for new models amid easing chip availability and high consumer interest during the ongoing festive season.

- Alisha Sachdev

The carmaker delivered over 310,000 units, a growth of 19% year-on-year in the 70-day period between August 17, the start of the Chingam month, which kicks off Onam festivities in Kerala, and the end of the Navratri period on October 24, a top company executive said.

While Maruti Suzuki did not make a formal estimate of its expected sales leading up to Diwali, people familiar with the development said that the company may be targeting sales of over 140,000 units between Dussehra and Bhai Dooj, which follows two days after Diwali, totalling 450,000 units. That will be 21% higher than last year's festive season sales of 370,000 units.

While Maruti Suzuki's pending vehicle bookings have reduced to 215,000 units towards the end of October, total open orders in the industry currently stand close to 500,000 units.