Maruti Suzuki sales down 40 percent in August

Chennai, Sep 1 (IANS) Maruti Suzuki logged 40 percent lower sales in August as compared to the offtake during the corresponding month of 2011.

The automobile maker was hit by labour unrest last month.

The company in a statement Saturday said it sold 54,415 units last month as against 91,442 units sold in August 2011.

Owing to the lock out at the Manesar plant (July 21 to Aug 20), the supply of Swift, Dzire, SX4 and A-star models was impacted, the company said.

Maruti Suzuki sold 3,085 units of Dzire and 6,059 units of compact cars (Swift, Estilo and Ritz) last month down from 7,856 units and 16,043 units, respectively, sold during August last year.

Maruti Suzuki's utility vehicles portfolio of Gypsy, Ertiga and Grand Vitara saw sales of 6,883 units, up from 1,290 units sold in August 2011.

The vans segment (Omni and Eeco) logged sales of 11,593 units against 12,500 units sold in August 2011.

Till August this fiscal, Maruti Suzuki has sold 432,284 units (domestic 384,417 units, exports 47,867 units) as against 448,268 units (domestic 394,273 units, exports 53,995 units) sold during April-August 2011.