New Delhi, Mar 1 (UNI) India's largest motorcycle maker Hero Honda today posted a 12 per cent increase in its February sales at 2,80,515 units, while rival Bajaj sold 1,71,780 bikes, less two per cent from the corresponding period last year.

Bajaj sold 1,75,256 motorcycles in February 2006 while Hero Honda fared better with sales of 2,50,695 units during the same month a year ago.

''With anticipated good sales in March, Bajaj Auto expects to close this fiscal with record high volumes, motorcycle market share, revenues and profits, though its sales in February registered a two per cent drop,'' the company stated.

The overall sales of the country's second largest motocycle maker dipped to 2,02,212 units from 2,05,776 vehicles in February '06 due to ''production constraints and limited sale of high end Bajaj motorcycles as demand exceeded supply.'' However, it maintained that the higher capacities planned in this segment, will considerably improve the supply position from April.

On the export front, it showcased a 46 per cent growth, with 38,228 units as compared to 26,237 units in February last year.

Its total two-wheeler sales (including scooters and bikes) slipped three per cent during the month from 1,79,880 vehicles to 1,74,220 units.

Third largest two-wheeler maker TVS Motors' bike sales went up six per cent with 70,155 units sold compared to 66,391 units in February last year.

TVS's exports also registered increase of 33 per cent to 8,017 vehicles in February this year.

TVS' two-wheeler sales last month climbed 10 per cent to 1,20,110 units from 1,08,923 units during the same period last year.

The company sold 19,937 units of scooterettes from 16,052 units, up 24 per cent during the month under consideration.

UNI