Tata Motors sales cross half a million mark in 06

Mumbai, Jan 22: Tata Motors sales, for the first time, have crossed half a million mark in a calendar year 2006.

The company registered total sales of 5,55,065 vehicles (including exports), a growth of 30 per cent over 4,25,901 vehicles sold in 2005.

Cumulative sales of commercial vehicles in the domestic market for the calendar year 2006 were 2,83,170 nos, an increase of 43 per cent over 1,98,607 vehicles sold in 2005, said a Tata press release.

M&HCV sales stood at 1,65,362 nos, an increase of 35 per cent over 2005.

LCV sales were at 1,17,808 numbers, an increase of 55 per cent over 2005. As part of its on-going launch plan, the Tata Ace, India's first mini-truck, is being extended across the country.

The company retained its leadership position in the commercial vehicle sector with an overall market share of 64 per cent in 2006, compared to 59 per cent in 2005. The market share for LCVs increased to 66 per cent, compared to 56 per cent in 2005, while M&HCVs registered a 63 per cent market share compared to 62 per cent in 2005.

The passenger vehicle business reported total sales of 2,18,355 vehicles in the domestic market in 2006, an increase of 20 per cent over 1,81,593 vehicles over 2005. The Indica had its highest ever yearly sale at 1,38,537 nos, an increase of 30 per cent. The Indigo range registered sales of 35,483 nos, a decline of 8 per cent. The Sumo and Safari accounted for sales of 44,335 nos., the highest in any year since launch in 1998 and registering a growth of 21 per cent against 36,700 numbers in 2005.

During the year, the company introduced the Indica V2 Xeta, face lifted Indigo and Indigo Marina range, CNG versions of the Indica and Indigo Marina and a new Safari range.

The company's overall market share in passenger vehicles has improved to 16.7 per cent in 2006 from 16.4 per cent in 2005. The market share for the Indica increased to 20 per cent in the compact segment, compared to 19.2 per cent in 2005, while the Indigo family registered a 36.3 per cent market share compared to 31.4 per cent in 2005 in the Entry Midsize segment. The market share for Utility Vehicles increased to 21 per cent in 2006 from 20.1 per cent in 2005. On exports-front, the company said it exported 53,540 vehicles in 2006 as compared to 45,701 vehicles in 2005, an increase of 17 per cent.

UNI