New Ford, GM car models pep up sales in June

The new cars on the block — Ford Figo and Chevrolet Beat — bolstered India's domestic car sales in June, ahead of the monsoons that are traditionally perceived as a bad period to sell automobiles in the country.

Spurred by the success of the Figo, Ford India grew by over 200 per cent (albeit on a much smaller base) during the period. It was followed by General Motors, which registered a 112 per cent growth in June 2010 compared to the same period a year ago.

In the first four months of this fiscal, Ford India has already sold more cars than its sales during the entire 2009-10.

"This is a phenomenal feat: our March to June sales exceeding the entire sales volume for 2009,"' said Michael Boneham, president and MD, Ford India. "We will continue to focus on customers' needs so that they will feel the Ford difference."

Market leader Maruti grew by 18 per cent, and number 2 Hyundai sold 19 per cent more cars in June, year-on-year. Among the country's top carmakers, Tata grew the most, at 63 per cent, its sales benefiting from the Nano, of which it sold an additional 7,704 units in the month. This is the Nano's highest monthly sales since its launch.