Tata Motors Dec sales up 37 per cent

Helped by sustained growth in commercial vehicle sales, Tata Motors has reported excellent growth in sales volumes for the month of December 2006. Total sales for the month of December 2006 were higher by 37 per cent at 48,792 units, including exports, as compared to 35,598 units during December 2005.

On a month-on-month basis, sales volumes were lower by 5.39 per cent from 49,061 units reported for November 2006. For the first three quarters of the financial year, Tata Motors has sold a total of 407,452 units - a growth of 33 per cent over the same period of previous year.

Passenger car sales growth was more subdued as compared to the previous month. Total passenger car sales increased 27 per cent to 16,515 units for the month. Sequentially, passenger car sales declined 17.92 per cent from 19,475 units for November 2006. Cumulative sales of passenger vehicles in the domestic market for the first 9 months were 157,010 units, an increase of 23 per cent over the same period of previous year

Sales volume growth of hatchback model Indica maintained the momentum, even though the model is one of the oldest in the segment. The company had recently launched a low-powered petrol version with a lower price tag, which is helping sales. Sales of Indica surged 52 per cent from the same month of last year to 10,588 units. Sequentially, Indica sales declined 23.22 per cent from 13,047 units for the previous month.

Sales of vehicles in the Indigo family slumped once again after the previous month's recovery. Volumes had increased last month after the company launched updated versions. The indigo family sold 2,077 units - a decline of 25 per cent over the previous year. On a sequential basis, Indigo sales slumped 37.55 per cent from 2,857 units sold during November 2006.

Sales of SUV model Safari and UV model Sumo increased 16 per cent year-on-year to 3,850 units. Sequentially sales of these models went up by 7.25 per cent from 3,571 units for November 2006.

Growth rate in the commercial vehicle segment continues to be very impressive. In commercial vehicles, Tata Motors sold a total of 28,179 units in the domestic market during the month - an increase of 50 per cent from 18,730 units reported for December 2005.

Sequentially, total commercial vehicle sales increased 8.47 per cent from 25,793 units for November 2006. For the first three quarters, Tata Motors sold a total of 211,698 units in the domestic market - an increase of 48 per cent over the same period of previous year.

LCV sales increased 43 per cent year-on-year to 10,905 units. On a month-on-month basis, LCV sales declined 4 per cent from 11,340 units reported for the previous month. The company's JV with Fiat is believed to be readying a new pick-up truck model, the TL Sprint, for the domestic market.

The model was unveiled at the Bologna motor show recently. Tata Motors may launch the same model in Thailand, through a recently announced JV, while Fiat may introduce the same model in Latin American markets.

After a subdued performance for the pervious month, sales of medium and heavy commercial vehicles jumped 55 per cent year-on-year to 17,274 units. On a sequential basis, growth in the M&HCV segment was at 16.33 per cent from 14,453 units for November 2006.

Growth in exports continues to be modest. Total exports increased 7 per cent to 4,098 units as compared to 3,831 units in December 2005. Sequentially, exports have increased 7.4 per cent from 3,793 units for November 2006.