Tata Motors registers 11% decline in domestic sales during May 2009

Despite newer cars being launched by other manufacturers, the Tata Indica Vista continues to hold its own in the Indian market

Tata Motors’ domestic sales for the month of May 2009 stood at 38,392 units, an 11% decline over 42,916 units sold in May last year. However, the company’s sales in May were 6% higher than the 36,257 units sold during April 2009.

Tata Motors’ total sales (including exports) stood at 40,196 units, a decline of 13% over the 46,339 units sold in May last year. Cumulative sales (including exports) for the company, at 77,714 units, declined by 8%, compared to 84,488 units sold last year.

Commercial Vehicles

The company’s sales of commercial vehicles in May 2009, in the domestic market, were 23,004 units – a 3% decline compared to the 23,682 vehicles sold in May last year. LCV sales were 14,380 units, a growth of 20% over May 2008, while M&HCV sales stood at 8,624 units, a decline of 27% over May 2008.

Cumulative sales of commercial vehicles in the domestic market for the fiscal were 45,851 units, a growth of 3% over last year. Cumulative M&HCV sales stood at 16,677 units, a decline of 27% over last year, while LCV sales for the fiscal were 29,174 units, a growth of 34% over last year.

Passenger Vehicles

Tata Motors’ passenger vehicle business reported a total sale and distribution offtake of 16,563 units (15,388 Tata + 1,175 Fiat) in the domestic market in May 2009, compared to 19,685 units (19,234 Tata + 451 Fiat) in May 2008, and 14,615 units (13,410 Tata + 1,205 Fiat) in April 2009.

The Indica range reported sales of 10,006 units, a growth of 3% over May 2008. The Indigo family recorded sales of 2,832 units, a 37.6% decline over May 2008. The UV range accounted for sales of 2,550 units, a decline of 49% compared to May 2008.

Cumulative sales and offtake distribution of passenger vehicles in the domestic market for the fiscal were 31,178 units (28,798 Tata + 2,380 Fiat), against 34,928 units (34,077 Tata + 851 Fiat) in the same period last year. Cumulative sales of the Indica range at 18,639 units, reported a growth of 9%. Cumulative sales of the Indigo family were 5,401 units, a 35% decline over the same period last year. Cumulative sales of the UV range were 4,758 units, a decline of 45%.

Exports

The company's sales from exports at 1,804 vehicles in May 2009 declined by 47% compared to 3,423 vehicles in May 2008. The cumulative sales from exports for the fiscal at 3,065 units declined by 46% over 5,728 units in the same period last year.