New Delhi, April 10: Car sales for the month of March 2008 increased 12 per cent to 128,074 units compared to 114,145 units

in the corresponding month last year, while motorcycle sales continued to decline, clocking 506,884 units as compared to 507,124 units in the same month previous year.

Total passenger car sales for the fiscal 2008 increased 11.79 per cent to 1,203,531 units as compared to 1,076,582 units last fiscal.

Total two-wheeler sales for the year continued to face tough times due to tighter vehicle financing norms as sales continued to slip 7.91 per cent to 72,48,600 units being sold in the year 2008 as compared to 78,72,334 units last year.

In a slowing economy rocked by increasing prices for staples such as fuel and food, the willingness to spend on a set of wheels continued to decline as new motorcycle sales plunged 11.89 per cent to 5,768,341 units in 07-08 compared to 6,547,195 units last year, confirming skittishness among consumers and pointing towards more difficult days ahead.

In March, however, the sales of Scooter/Scooterettee declined 5 per cent to 83,022 units as compared to 87,459 units in the same month last year.

Total three-wheeler sales for the month of March 2008 dipped 15 per cent to 29,654 units as compared to 34,901 units in the corresponding month last year.

Three-wheeler sales for the fiscal year ended March 2008 fell 9.71 per cent to 364,703 units compared to 403,910 units last year.

The decline in three-wheeler was led by the sales of goods carrier which declined by 20.49 per cent to 132,571 units for FY2007-08 compared to 166,735 units last year.