Last month, the government had extended the deadline for automobile makers to use BIS certified locally produced high-grade steel till February

Motorcycle sales last month, however, rose marginally to 7,93,061 units as against 7,88,334 units a year earlier.

China is both the biggest manufacturer and the biggest market for cars globally. But the car sales fell in 2018 by about six per cent to 22.7 million units for the first time in 20 years.

The dip in crude oil prices will ease the pressure on inflation and current account deficit.

The model had raced past the 5 lakh sales milestone in September 2010.