BENGALURU (Reuters) -Gross sales of sports activities utility automobiles (SUVs) rose in December, whereas small automotive gross sales fell regardless of excessive reductions, information from Indian automakers confirmed on Monday.

Whereas gross sales of entry-level automobiles stay sluggish resulting from inflation, automakers have benefited from the gross sales of premium automobiles, catering to a more comfortable demographic largely unaffected by larger costs.

Maruti Suzuki and Mahindra & Mahindra reported home SUV gross sales progress of 24% and 39% year-on-year, respectively.

Indian carmakers’ SUV phase has benefitted from sturdy demand by way of the final yr.

Mahindra, which makes SUVs such because the Thar, Scorpio and XUV, had a number of months of file gross sales within the class in 2023. It has seen 20%-57% gross sales progress every month this monetary yr to date.

Gross sales of SUVs have fashioned 36% of Maruti’s home passenger car (PV) to date this fiscal yr, in contrast with 22% final fiscal, whereas accounting for nearly all of Mahindra’s PV gross sales.

The year-end, the place automakers normally present bigger reductions, coupled with low demand for entry-level automobiles, prompted Maruti to extend reductions on its lesser-priced fashions by 40% to 45%.

Nevertheless, gross sales of its small vehicles just like the Alto and Baleno had been down 29%. That was additionally, partially, resulting from Maruti’s moderation of wholesales.

Tata Motors (NYSE:) reported an 8% progress in home PV gross sales, with out specifying the expansion charges of various classes of vehicles.

Amongst two-wheelers, Bajaj Auto’s and TVS Motor’s home gross sales jumped 26% and 27% respectively, whereas Eicher Motors’ Royal Enfield bike gross sales fell 7%.

Bajaj and different two-wheeler makers benefited from the marriage season that happened in the course of the first half of the month, analysts have stated.