India’s biggest car manufacturer Maruti Suzuki sold 1.23 lakh vehicles in October, when sales are brisk owing to festive demand. Last year, it sold 1.21 lakh during the same period, which means its sales rose marginally, by 2.2%. However, when international purchases were accounted for, the company registered a slight dip for the month – 1,33,793 units this year as against 1,34,209 units in October 2015, PTI reported.

Company officials said the market demand for their products “remain strong”, with newer models such as the Ciaz, S Cross, Ertiga, Brezza and Baleno fairing well. The biggest boost came from their utility vehicles – of which Brezza and Eritga are a part, along with the Grand Vitara and Gypsy – a 90.8% leap from October last year.

However, Maruti’s lower-end stalwarts such as the Alto and Wagon R faced a 9.8% decline in sales. Their compact segment – cars such as the Swift and Ritz – also fell, by 1.8%, while the demand for its vans Omni and Eeco fell by 6.5%.

Officials said that the growth for the August-October period, considered the entirety of the festive season, was much higher – 14%. Maruti has a market share of more than 47% in the country, with its competitors Hyundai and Honda lagging far behind.