Tata Motors July sales surge 44.5 per cent

Tata Motors has reported total sales of 45,056 units, including exports, for the month of July 2006 as compared to 31,173 units during July 2005. Growth momentum was sustained in all the major segments, especially commercial vehicles.

On a month-on-month basis, sales volumes have declined very marginally from 45,223 units reported for June 2006. For the first four months of the current financial year, Tata Motors has sold a total of 171,210 units – a growth of 44.3 per cent over the same period of previous year.

Passenger car sales in the domestic market were at 18,238 units, an increase of 40.4 per cent as compared to the same month of previous year. Sequentially, passenger car sales have declined 1.2 per cent from 18,463 units for June 2006.

Sales of the hatchback model Indica jumped 62 per cent from the same month of last year to 11,941 units. Sequentially, Indica sales declined 2.69 per cent from 12,271 units for the previous month.

Indigo sedan and Indigo Marina station wagon continued to witness declining sales, because of rising competition from new launches by other manufacturers. Sales of vehicles in the Indigo family declined 16.5 per cent year-on-year to 2,589 units for the month. Passenger car market leader Maruti had also reported a decline in sedan sales for July.

SUV model Safari continues to benefit from the recent price cuts and recorded its highest ever monthly sales. The model sold 1,229 units during July 2006 after recording sales of 1,011 units in June 2006. Total sales of Safari and UV model Sumo increased 46.8 per cent year-on-year to 3,708 units.

In commercial vehicles, Tata Motors sold a total of 21,534 units in the domestic market during the month - an increase of 54.3 per cent from 13,957 units reported for July 2005. Sequentially, total commercial vehicle sales have declined very marginally from 21,565 units for June 2006.

LCV segment remained the star performer for the month with sales expanding 58.per cent to 9,395 units. On a month-on-month basis, LCV sales have declined 3.71 per cent from 9,757 units reported for the previous month.

Sales of medium and heavy commercial vehicles increased by a very impressive 51.5 per cent to 12,139 units over the previous year month. Even on a sequential basis, the M&HCV segment has reported a growth of 2.8 per cent from 11,808 units for June 2006.

Exports increased by 25.2 per cent to 5,284 units for as compared to 4,220 units in July 2005. Sequentially, exports have increased marginally by 1.71 per cent from 5,195 units for June 2006.