Jakarta. Indonesian car sales grew 4 percent in April compared to the same period last year on the back of an automotive industry revival as well as improvement in the domestic economy.

According to data from the Indonesian Automotive Association (Gaikindo), car sales in April alone stood at 84,703 units. The figure in the corresponding period last year was 81,600 units.

April's improving figure was the first year-on-year rise after a 16-month annualized decline in car sales.

However, April's sales were 11 percent lower compared to March's 94,008 units.

Toyota still led with a 38 percent share of the retail market. Its Toyota Rush sports utility vehicle saw strong sales growth at 28.2 percent.

Toyota Astra Motor (TAM) vice president director Henry Tanoto said he expected the car market to continue improving, amid prediction of a surge in economic growth this year.

Last month, TAM's wholesale figure for cars increased to 31,060 units from 29,966 the month before, while retail sales stood at 31,626 units, up 6.1 percent.

Honda secured the second place with a 20.7 percent share of the retail market. The automaker's BR-V and HR-V models contributed most of the sales. The multipurpose Mobilio model followed in third place.

According to Gaikindo's data, total car sales for the January-April period amounted to 351,947 units, down 3.2 percent from the same period last year.

The association has set a growth target for car sales of 5 percent to 10 percent to between 1.05 million and 1.1 million units this year compared to last year.