** Shares of Indian auto companies Ashok Leyland Ltd , Bajaj Auto Ltd, Tata Motors Ltd climb after reporting strong monthly sales
** Ashok Leyland’s total sales rose 27 pct in Aug
** Shares of Ashok Leyland rise as much as 4.6 pct to 135 rupees, their highest since July 13
** Bajaj Auto’s total sales rose 30 pct in Aug; shares up as much as 2.3 pct at 2,807.7 rupees, highest in six weeks
** Tata Motors posted a 27 pct rise in Aug domestic sales; shares up as much as 2.1 pct
** As of last close, Tata Motors stock had fallen 38.1 pct this year
** Meanwhile, Maruti Suzuki India Ltd’s Aug sales declined 3.4 pct, hit by floods in Kerala and heavy rains in other parts of the country; shares down 1.1 pct to their lowest since July 4
** NSE auto index up 0.9 pct