Car sales in the festive month of October have been a dampener, with the overall industry surprisingly expected to end up in the red after five straight months of growth since May this year.

This marks the fourth consecutive year of poor festive season sales, and is especially disappointing since hopes had been high for a strong demand at a time when car demand is already at a decade’s low. In a good year, festive season (September-November) growth is about 20%, while the auspicious period accounts for 35-40% of carmakers’ annual volumes.

Car market leader Maruti Suzuki India sold 97,069 units during the month compared with 96,062 units sold in October 2013.
 
Hyundai Motor India registered 38,010 units during the month, up 5.6% as against 36,002 units in corresponding month last year.
 
Honda continued its growth trajectory on the back of the new City and Mobilio models with an 18% jump to 13,242 units.
 
Mahindra, largely a utility vehicle maker which launched its new Scorpio last month, saw a 16% drop to 19,254 units.

Tata Motors also witnessed a 19% drop in the month to 11,511 units despite 49% higher sedan segment sales on the back of its new Zest.

Toyota Kirloskar posted a 5% drop to 12,556 units
 
Ford saw a 27% drop to 6,723 units
 
Ford India sold 6,723 units (versus 9,163 units)
 
GM sold 4,103 units (versus 7,715 units)
 
Nissan reported a 15.86% decline in sales at 4,106 units
 
VE Commercial Vehicles today reported a marginal increase in total sales of its Eicher branded products at 3,052 units in October.