Deficient monsoon can hit sales in rural market: Maruti Suzuki

Deficient monsoon is a cause of worry and could affect sales in some parts of the country, especially in rural market, according to car market leader Maruti Suzuki India.

"Yes, the deficient monsoon prediction is a cause of worry. Sales could be affected in some parts, specially in the rural market," Maruti Suzuki India Managing Director and CEO Kenichi Ayukawa told reporters here.

The company's rural sales had increased by 23% to 4,15,380 units in last fiscal year, when it posted a total of 12,92,415 units -- the highest ever total sales in a financial year.

Yesterday, the Met Department had revised monsoon forecast from 93 per cent to 88 per cent for this year, with north-west region of the country expected to be hit the most.

In April, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) had forecast that monsoon rains would be 93 per cent of the average, which is categorised as "below normal". Now, with the revised projection of 88 per cent, the monsoon is categorised as "deficient".

Ayukawa, however, said Maruti Suzuki would try to overcome the impact of the deficient monsoon with new product launches and other market activation activities.

Last fiscal, the company had established presence in 1.25 lakh villages and is targetting to enhance presence in 1.5 lakh villages going forward. In 2013-14, it had established its presence in 93,400 villages.