Major auto manufacturers like Tata Motors, Hyundai, Honda, Ford and General Motors, suffered a decline in sales in March, as rising fuel prices and higher interest rates kept buyers away.

Hyundai Motor India Ltd's domestic sales slipped 13.46 per cent to 33,858 units in March, from 39,122 units in the corresponding month of the previous financial year.

Tata Motors' total passenger vehicle sales dropped a whopping 66.62 per cent, from 36,984 units in March 2012 to 12,347 units.

Ford India's sales dropped 41.61 per cent year-on-year to 5,271 units in March. In March 2012, this company had sold 9,028 units.

Honda Cars India's sales slipped 8.82 per cent to 10,044 units, while General Motors India suffered a decline of 14.94 per cent in its sales to 9,006 units.

P. Balendran, vice president of General Motors India, said, "The market sentiment continues to remain subdued due to poor economic conditions and various other factors."

The showroom traffic came down drastically, despite offering of various schemes to attract customers.

In the two-wheelers segment, automakers reported mixed results. While Hero MotoCorp and TVS Motor Co reported decline in sales, India Yamaha Motor and Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India registered rise of nearly 15 per cent and 20 per cent, respectively, in their domestic sales.