New Delhi, Sep 8 - Even as auto companies worldwide are in a slump, India saw a 25.59 percent growth in the sale of passenger cars in the domestic market in August, compared to the like month of last year, industry data showed Tuesday.

According to the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), 120,669 units were sold last month, compared to 96,082 units in August 2008. SIAM said two-wheeler sales similarly surged 25.11 percent to 776,777 units from 620,883 units.

Globally, China has seen a 60 percent decline in automobile sales while the dip has been 43 percent for Thailand and 31 percent for South Korea. In the US, General Motors, which had dominated the global auto industry last century, even had to file for bankruptcy.

In India, the sales of commercial vehicles increased for the second consecutive month, growing 18.48 percent to 40,624 units in August from 34,289 units in the year-ago period.