New Delhi: Domestic car sales went up by 8.7 per cent in July on the back of growth attained by auto-makers like Hyundai, Tata Engineering, Fiat and Honda.

Total sales rose for the second successive month this fiscal to 43,427 cars from 39,938 cars in July 2001, data released by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) showed on August 13.

But, car market leader Maruti and Ford suffered negative growth in sales during the review month.

Cumulative (April-July 2002-03) car sales were down by 3.5 per cent to 1.58 lakh units against 1.64 lakh units in the year-ago period.

Commercial vehicles climbed 33.8 per cent to 13,368 units from 9,988 units in July last year aided by growth in both the medium and heavy (M&H) and light vehicles (LCV) segment.

While M&H sales rose 15.2 per cent to 7,346 units, sales of LCVs jumped 66.7 per cent to 6,022 units during the month.

Cumulative commercial vehicles sales were also higher by 36 per cent at 52,339 units (38,386 units a year ago).

Sales of Utility vehicles were flat at 8,920 units (8,991units) while that of multi- purpose-vehicles slipped by 11 per cent to 4,263 units (4,790 units).

Two-wheelers continued to move ahead posting a 21.3 per cent growth in July at 3.87 lakh units (3.19 lakh units).

Motorcycles rose by 35.6 per cent to 2.76 lakh units (2.04 lakh units) while scooters went up by five per cent at 80,605 units (76,701 units). Mopeds were down by 22.1 per cent at 29,805 units while three-wheeler sales rose by 9.2 per cent to 19,263 units.

PTI