Car makers started 2012 on a positive note, with sales up 7.2 percent in January -- the third consecutive month of gains after a lacklustre 2011, according to data released by an industry body Wednesday.

Manufacturers sold 196,013 cars in January, a 7.19 percent rise over the previous corresponding month, according to the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM).

Two-wheeler sales during the month rose by 13.6 percent to 11,13,831 units. Motorcycle sales went up by 10.51 percent to 825,887 vehicles.

High interest rates and rising fuel costs had affected demand in the previous year, with car sales turning negative in July 2011.

Commercial vehicle sales rose 13.52 percent to 69,859 units in January from 61,537 units in the previous corresponding period, the SIAM data said.

Total sales across categories grew by 12.17 percent to 1481,435 units in January, the industry body added.