New Delhi, May 9 (IANS): Domestic passenger car sales inched up by 1.87 percent last month, industry data showed on Monday.

According to the data furnished by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), passenger car sales during April stood at 162,566 units against 159,588 units in the corresponding period of last year. 

However, sales of total passenger vehicle, which include cars, utility vehicles and vans surged by 11.04 percent to 242,060 units from 217,989 units sold in April, 2015. 

The total passenger car sales rose on the back of healthy demand for utility vehicles (UVs) and vans. 

The utility vehicles sales rose by 42.83 percent to 62,170 units, whereas the off-take of vans increased by 16.46 percent to 17,324 units. 

Further, the industry data for last month showed a 17.36 percent growth in the overall commercial vehicles segment sales, which is a key indicator of economic activity. 

The commercial vehicles segment off-take for April stood at 53,835 units, up from 45,872 units sold during the corresponding month of 2015.

The three-wheelers sales rose by 36.68 percent in the month under review at 44,645 units from 32,665 units sold during April of 2015.

The off-take of overall two-wheelers segment which includes scooters, motorcycles and mopeds grew by 21.23 percent to 1,560,339 units from 1,287,056 units sold in the like month of last year.

On product specific basis, scooter segments' sales during last month grew by 35.86 percent to 468,368 units, while Motorcycle segment's off-take reported a rise of 16.24 percent to 1,024,926 units.

The moped segments' sales were up 10.71 percent t0 67,045 units during the period under review.

However, overall exports across categories, declined during April. It declined by 15.87 percent to 244,280 units sold abroad from 290,368 units shipped out during April, 2015.

Total automobile sales last month were higher by 20.04 percent at 1,900,879 units from 1,583,582 units sold in the corresponding month of last year.

"Growth in all segments in April 2016, is a very positive trend for the Indian automotive industry," said Abdul Majeed, partner and auto expert with PriceWaterhouse.

According to Majeed, positive indicators such as expected rise in freight demand, pre-buying before the complete roll out BS IV (Bharat Stage IV) norms for commercial vehicles will support the overall growth of the Indian automotive industry.

Other factors such as low interest rates, expectations of better monsoon, budgetary support for rural growth and more cash flow in the hands of government employees are expected to sustain the sales growth. 

"New models will also continue to drive the growth in passengers car segment. Hopefully, uncertainty relating to the diesel vehicles will also get resolved soon. If incentives are offered to replace the old vehicles it will give further boost to the demand," Majeed added.