Highest-ever car sales in cracker of Oct

CARMAKERS SAW THEIR highest-ever domestic sales in a month in October at 4.70 lakh, a 17% year-on-year (yo-y) jump, as a result of Diwali festive demand and lower GST rates.

- SWARAJ BAGGONKAR

October was the first full month post the reduction in goods and services tax rates, effected in the last week of September.

The GST rate reduction to 18% from 28% on small cars, coupled with removal of cess, boosted overall consumer sentiment and demand. It was a busy month for companies as they operated factories at full capacity, besides extending business hours at showrooms, officials said.

Maruti Suzuki, the country’s largest carmaker, logged 10% growth in dispatches to its dealers at 176,318 units. The company’s utility vehicles like Brezza and compact vehicles like Swift saw demand outstrip supply. On Friday, the company claimed to have bookings for 350,000 cars pending for delivery.