Auto major Mahindra and Mahindra has reported 13 per cent increase in total sales at 47,199 units in July against 41,819 units in the same month previous year.

In the domestic market, sales were up 12 per cent to 44,605 units last month compared with 39,834 units in July 2017, M&M said in a statement today.

Exports rose 31 per cent to 2,594 units from 1,985 units. Sales of passenger vehicles, including Scorpio, XUV500, Xylo, Bolero and Verito, were down 6 per cent at 19,781 units compared with 21,034 units in July 2017. Commercial vehicle sales were up 28 per cent at 19,284 units (15,023 units).

M&M President Automotive Sector Rajan Wadhera said: “The auto industry has been subject to certain uncertainties with the truckers’ strike and sluggishness on the retail front which have impacted the passenger vehicle segment.”

Demand for commercial vehicles continues to be strong and the newly launched Furio range of ICVs augurs well for HCV business, he added.

“As we move into the festive season, we are confident of seeing a turnaround in the overall buying sentiment, coupled with the just announced Mahindra Marazzo, which is scheduled for launch next month,” Wadhera said.