PICS: Auto sector drives past bad phase, hopes for better

PRICES HIKED: The struggle for automobile companies was further enhanced as rising input costs affected their profitability, which forced them to hike prices. Different car makers started 2013 with price increase in January and it was an act that was followed up in subsequent months of April and October. Towards the end of the year, amid declining sales the companies came up with the annual ritual of announcing that they would hike prices next year.