Car sales in India rise 11.3 pct in April

NEW DELHI: Car sales in India rose 11.3 per cent on year in April, but growth was inhibited by firmer interest rates and stock market volatility, an industry body said on Thursday.

Indians bought 82,934 cars last month, compared with 74,542 in April 2006, the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers said on Thursday.

Sales of all passenger vehicles -- cars, utility vehicles and multipurpose vehicles -- rose 11.8 percent to 105,962 units in April from 94,771 a year ago.

Sales of commercial vehicles -- trucks, buses and goods carriers -- rose 6.5 percent to 30,836 in April. 

The two wheeler market fell by 5.95 percent to 570,381 units mainly due to depressed motorcycle sales.

Motorcycle sales in India fell by 9.7 percent in April to 463,091 units.