New Delhi, Nov 9 (IANS): The Indian automobile industry, in a slump due to high fuel and interest costs, got a festive season reprieve in October as passenger car sales grew 23.09 percent on upbeat consumer sentiment.

Car sales in the month under review stood at 172,459 units from a low base of 140,105 units sold in the corresponding month of last year, the highest growth since January 2011, the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) said Friday.

According to SIAM, sales of commercial vehicles last month rose 7.59 percent to 66,722 units from 62,013 units sold in October 2011.

Two-wheeler sales during the period under review grew by 12.26 percent at 1,285,015 units from 1,144,716 sold in the corresponding month of 2011.

Motorcycle sales in the month under review were higher by 6.71 percent at 936,122 units from 877,270 units sold in the corresponding period of 2011.

Scooter sales during last month zoomed by 32.39 percent at 279,427 units from 211,068 units sold in October 2011.

Three-wheeler segment sales increased by 12.58 percent at 55,241 units in the month under review.

Total vehicles sales last month stood at 1,653,703 units, up 14.81 percent from 1,440,409 units sold in the like period of 2011-12.