Maruti Udyog Ltd, India's biggest carmaker, has posted a 69.8 per cent rise in sales in July 2003, helped by a continued spurt in demand for the entry- level model 'Maruti-800'.

It sold 41,795 cars during the month against 24,604 cars a year earlier, an MUL statement said.

It included domestic sales of 36,545 units and exports of 5,250 units.

Cumulative (April-July 2003) sales jumped 53 per cent to 1,45,843 units from 95,222 units last year.

Sale of the 'Maruti-800' model zoomed by 84 per cent to 16,399 units while that of the premium small cars 'Zen', 'Alto' and 'WagonR' surged by 57 per cent to 13,673 units.

The 'Omni Van' and multi-purpose-vehicle 'Versa' posted a 19 per cent growth at 5,052 units.

In the mid-size segment, sale of the 'Esteem' and 'Baleno' models climbed 54 per cent to 1,270 units.

Sales of the multi-utility-vehicle 'Gypsy' and sports-utility-vehicle 'Grand Vitara' grew by 17 per cent to 151 units during the month.

MUL, which has tied-up with some associate banks of the State Bank of India, would shortly forge alliances with the State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur and State Bank of Saurashtra to provide cars on easy finance.

The company has also extended its dealer network by five, taking the total size to 253 outlets in 166 cities.