Car sales alone rose 38 percent in July over a year earlier to 158,764 vehicles, the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers said Monday. Commercial vehicle sales rose 37 percent to 51,481 vehicles.

Growth was helped by slow sales this time last year as well as buying ahead of India’s festive season and a change in emissions norms in October which promises to raise prices.

“Sales are pretty good,” said Angel Broking analyst Vaishali Jajoo. “The economy turning back in a positive direction and normal monsoons are also supporting it.” Vehicle exports rose 9.2 percent in July thanks to strong commercial vehicle performance. But car exports rose only 2.1 percent, as companies — like market leader Maruti Suzuki — facing capacity constraints put India’s fast-growing market first.

“Maruti diverted their sales toward domestic demand because they have a capacity constraint on the export front,” Jajoo said. “Some players are trying to put their thrust on the domestic market because demand is higher and there is no currency fluctuation impact.” Ford exported its first Figo cars from India to South Africa on July 5, sending a consignment of 1,200 vehicles.

The company plans to export 5,000 by year’s end, part of the US automaker’s drive to use India as a small car production base.