By PTI

New Delhi: Car maker Hyundai Motor India (HMIL) today reported a 9.90 % rise in domestic passenger car sales during October 2008, at 20,009 units, against 18,207 units in the corresponding month of 2007.

The company’s cumulative sales (including exports) during October were up 65.84% at 46,660 units, compared with 28,136 units in the same month a year ago, HMIL said in a statement.

Its exports for the month accounted for 26,651 units, compared with 9,929 units during the same month previous year, a rise of over two-fold.

HMIL sold 40,937 units of hatchbacks Santro, Getz Prime and i10, 5,703 units of Accent and Verna, 12 units of Sonata Embera and eight units of its SUV Tucson during October.

“At a time when we are faced with one of the most challenging economic scenarios not only in India but globally we are happy to see Hyundai retaining its market leadership position in compact cars and growing steadily,” HMIL senior vice president, marketing and sales, Arvind Saxena said.

The growth would have been even stronger had the country not faced such an economic situation and in the coming months too if the situation does not ease off, the automotive industry will be in for very tough times, he added.