Hyundai India's domestic sales down 13.5 per cent

Auto major Hyundai Motor India on Monday said its domestic sales in January were down 13.5 per cent to 21,016 units from 24,301 units for the corresponding month last year.

However, total sales including exports saw only a marginal dip of 1.3 per cent to 37,216 units in the period under review from 37,700 units in the year ago period.

This, because the company's exports grew 20.9 per cent to 16,200 units in January as against 13,399 units in the corresponding month last year.

'In spite of the slowdown, we have shipped over 6,500 units of the i20 and we are hopeful we will be able to maintain our market position in the coming months,' said senior marketing vice president Arvind Saxena.

He, however, admitted '2009 as predicted is going to be a very challenging year for the entire automotive industry'.