Amidst the nagging economic gloom, positive news from the Indian car market provides us with something to cheer about. According to the figures released by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), car sales in India continued an upward swing for the fifth consecutive month. Passenger cars registered a 2.48 per cent growth in May taking total sales to 1,13,490 units as against 1,10,745 units sold in the same month last year.

This time too Maruti Suzuki and Honda have come out on top as saviours of the car market to help it stay in positive territory. Maruti Suzuki registered 9.71 percent increase in May sales and Honda posted a rise of 11.01 percent.

Though that’s all good, the overall car sales declined 19% last month, the worst drop in 5 years. Industry experts cry hoarse over meek rate of lending by banks and downturn for the bleak situation. They demand greater government intervention in the form of easy financing, cut in interest rates, and rationalisation of excise duty for a quick revival.

One wonders how Maruti and Honda could manage to keep afloat during such trying times where other players like Hyundai and Tata bit the dust with dip in sales. On close scrutiny, it can be seen that Maruti’s “one component, one gram” policy has worked well. This policy helps them cut down on costs and improve a car’s fuel efficiency and performance, making it a “paisa wasool” (value for money) car.

Currently, Maruti 800 weighs 650 kg and a 2kg weight reduction could bring down the cost of the model. The company has asked its vendors to reduce the weight of each component by one gram. The “one-gram” theory has helped them reduce cost of production thereby fighting the sullen car market more effectively. Honda too is bringing out its new model Jazz with reduced weight.