Motor vehicle sales in Indonesia rose by 26.3 percent in March after the sluggish selling month in February due to major flooding in the capital.

According to the data from the country's automotive industries association Gaikindo Friday, car sales totaled 33,905 units in March against 26,834 units in the preceding month.

Producers have anticipated the surge as buyers tended to delay purchase in February, when distribution was disturbed by the flooding.

"The surge is led by carryover sales in February," Johnny Darmawan, director of Toyota Motor's local branch PT Toyota Astra Motor, was quoted as saying Friday by leading economic daily Bisnis Indonesia.

First quarter sales also booked a 6.4 percent surge to 84,511 units from 79,412 units in the corresponding period last year, according to Gaikindo.