New Delhi, Jan 9 (IANS): Sale of domestic passenger cars fell 4.52 percent in December 2013, indicating a bearish consumer market due to slow economic growth, high fuel and interest costs.

Data furnished Monday by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) showed that 132,561 units were sold in the month under review as against an offtake of 138,835 units in the corresponding period of 2012.

Utility vehicles sales fell by 10.44 percent at 40,348 units from 45,049 units sold in the corresponding period of 2012.

Domestic sales of vans fell by 36.08 percent at 13,252 units from 20,733 units off-take in December, last year.

Total passenger vehicle sales which includes, cars, utility vehicles and vans in the month under review went down by 9.02 percent at 186,161 units from an off-take of 204,617 units in December 2012.

For last month, SIAM reported a 27.92 percent decline in sales of heavy, medium and light commercial vehicles (M&HCVs) which are a key indicator of economic activity. Sales stood at 13,770 units from 19,105 units in the corresponding month of last year.

Three-wheeler sales slumped by by 21.18 units at 35,249 from 44,719 units sold in December 2012.

However, total two-wheeler sales in the month under review grew by 2.32 units at 1,163,465 units from 1,137,081 units sold in the corresponding period of 2012. Total motorcycle sales increased by decreased by 4.24 percent at 808,281 units from an off-take of 844,046 units in December, last year.

However, scooter segment sales in the month under review grew by 29.86 percent at 301,714 units from 232,343 units sold in the corresponding period of last year.

Total exports for the month went up by 10.16 percent at 288,525 units from 261,920 units being shipped out.

Total domestic sales in December 2013 fell 1.21 percent at 1,431,632 units from 1,449,203 units sold in the corresponding month of last year.