Tata Motors’ domestic sales for the month of March 2009 were 52,686 nos. The company’s total sales (including exports) were 54,485 vehicles. The company’s sales (including exports) for the fiscal 2008-09 were 498,581nos.
While the financial stimulus announced by the Government, particularly for commercial vehicles, has had a positive impact, the retail market would still take some time to reach the corresponding period levels of the last fiscal. As a result, March 2009 domestic sales nos. were 13% lower than that of March 2008. Cumulative sales (including exports) for the company were 498,581 nos., 14% lower than 582,390 nos. sold in the last fiscal.
Commercial Vehicles
The company’s sales of commercial vehicles in March 2009 in the domestic market were 29,006 nos., 24% higher than that in February 2009 but 19% lower than 35,993 vehicles sold in March 2008. M&HCV sales at 12,333 nos. reflect a 40% growth over February 2009, but 40% lower than March 2008. LCV sales at 16,673 nos. are 9% higher than March 2008.
Cumulative sales of commercial vehicles in the domestic market for the fiscal were 265,012 nos., a decline of 15% over 313,360 nos. last year. Cumulative M&HCV sales stood at 113,674 nos., a decline of 32% over last year, while LCV sales for the fiscal were 151,338 nos., a growth of 3% over last year.
During the year, Tata Motors launched the Winger High Roof AC Ambulance, LPT 407 EX2 truck and the Super Milo range of bus chassis.
Passenger Vehicles
The company’s sales of passenger vehicles in March 2009 in the domestic market at 23,680 nos. were the highest this fiscal, 24% up over February 2009, but 4% lower than 24,737 vehicles sold in March last year. The March 2009 passenger car sales of the Indica and Indigo range put together at 18,642 nos. were the highest this fiscal, surpassing February 2009 sales of 15,524. The Indica range sales at 13,678 nos. were 5% higher than March 2008 and the highest this fiscal. The Indigo range sales of 4,555 nos. were 8% higher than February 2009, but 11% lower than March 2008. The Utility Vehicle/SUV range accounted for sales of 5,038 nos., were the highest this fiscal, registering a 43% increase over the previous month of February, but a 23% decline over March 2008.
Cumulative sales of passenger vehicles in the domestic market for the fiscal were 200,159 nos., a decline of 7% over 214,758 nos. in the same period last year. Cumulative sales of the Indica range at 111,257 nos., reported a decline of 18%. For the January – March quarter 2009, Indica range sales at 36,426 nos. have grown by 2.5% over January – March 2008. Cumulative sales of the Indigo family were 49,190 nos., a growth of 57%. Cumulative sales of the Utility Vehicle/SUV range at 39,303 nos. declined by 17.6%.
Tata Motors also did an offtake of 8,075 Fiat cars for distribution, a 139% increase over 3,377 cars sold by Fiat last fiscal.
During the year, Tata Motors’ major launches included the new generation Indica Vista, the Xenon XT lifestyle pick-up and the much awaited Tata Nano. The Tata Nano has gone on display at dealer showrooms and other authorised outlets from today along with the sale of booking forms. The bookings will be accepted from April 9 to 25, 2009.
Exports
The company’s sales from exports at 1,799 vehicles in March 2009, were up 36% over February 2009, but declined by 69% compared to 5,765 vehicles in March 2008. The cumulative sales from exports for the fiscal at 33,410 nos. declined by 38% over 54,272 nos. in the same period last year.
