While mopeds and scooters grew by 4.22 percent and 9.11 percent respectively, motorcycle sales
were particularly badly hit, growing just 1.16 percent. Electric two-wheelers grew by 49.48 percent,
albeit from a relatively smaller base. During March 2009, two-wheeler sales grew at a sluggish 3.65
percent over the same month last year, indicating that a sustained recovery is still sometime away.
Export of automobiles during 2008-09 grew strongly, showing an increase of 23.61 percent, with all
segments recording increases, except for commercial vehicles which were affected due to the global
economic slowdown. The export of passenger vehicles and two-wheelers grew 53.73 percent and
22.50 percent respectively, while three-wheeler exports grew 4.85 percent. However, exports of
trucks and buses declined by 27.67 percent during this period. According to Tata Motors, its
domestic sales for March 2009 were 52,686 units while total sales (including exports) were 54,485
vehicles. For the entire financial year ended March 2009, total sales were 498,581, which are 14
percent lower than the 582,390 units sold in the previous fiscal. The company believes that the
financial stimulus packages announced by the government, particularly for commercial vehicles,
have had a positive impact. However, it feels that the demand for trucks at the retail level would still
take some time to reach levels from the last fiscal. As a result, its March 2009 domestic sales were
13 percent lower than those of March 2008. Meanwhile, Mahindra said it sold 25,748 units in March
2009 in the domestic market, its highest ever monthly sales figures. This compares with the 23,128
units sold in March 2008, a solid 30 percent increase in sales for the company’s utility vehicles. This
includes the highest ever monthly sales for the Scorpio, Bolero and the Pik-Up models, which stood
at 19,973 units for March 2009 as against 15,366 units for the same period last year. The newly
launched Xylo multi-purpose vehicle also sold strongly with 3,124 units finding buyers in the Indian
market. According to Anand Mahindra, vice-chairman and managing director, Mahindra &
Mahindra, “This is a clear validation of the faith reposed in our products by customers. I am
especially pleased that our new Mahindra Xylo has changed the rules of the game with impressive
sales figures.” The Bolero model has also done very well for the company, selling a record 55,924
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