Car sales at all time high, up over 34 pc: Centre

According to the Society Of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), domestic car sales have surged to an all time high and exports of cars have also increased in the country.

This was revealed in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha by Minister of State for the Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises Arun Yadav on Thursday.

Mr Yadav stated that though as many as 823,049 automobiles had been sold in the domestic market from April 2009 to October 2009, the figure has climbed to 1,105,273 during the same period in 2010, a rise of 34.29 per cent.

Mr Yadav added that apart from the domestic sales, car exports have also seen a rise of 1.16 per cent. He stated that 248,277 automobiles were sold between April 2009 and October 2009 and as many as 251,159 sold in the same period this year.

As per the information received from Department of Revenue, the data on revenue earned as excise duty for motor cars including other motor vehicles (not specifically for cars) during the year 2008-09 and 2009-10 has also climbed up to Rs 3,958.34 crore in 2009-10 from the Rs 2,416.92 crore in 2008-2009.

Mr Yadav added that Government, with active participation of all stake holders, has taken steps for upgrading infrastructure, establishing world class testing, homologation and certification facilities, meeting Research and Development need, human resource development as well as addressing issues relating to environment and safety concerns.  At present since the sector is already doing well, no specific sops are needed, he added.