We bring you our monthly report on the automobile sales for March, 2017. You can catch all the February Sales here. You can also find all the coverage in relation to the automobile sector here.
Replicating the success witnessed by Maruti Suzuki and Renault after the launch of AMT versions of some of their models, Tamo has now brought in AMT version of its hot selling Tiago in the form of Tiago Easy-Shift AMT variant.
Mayank Pareek, President, Tata Motors – Passenger Vehicle Division said:
Since its launch in 2016, the Tiago – our first product to be launched under the IMPACT design language; stood out as an attractive, innovative and feature loaded car. It is the most awarded car of the year with over 13 awards and counting.
Besides, due to the continued good response to the Tiago, we are witnessing a month-on-month growth in the immensely competitive hatchback segment. The Tiago has been instrumental in the growth of Tata Motors’ brand across the PV market.
In line with our commitment of launching products that cater to the need of the ever-evolving customer, we are happy to launch the Tiago AMT today. We are confident that it will further expand the market for us.
The sedan version of the Tiago comes in the form of Tigor [Tigor shares most of its body parts and interior with the Tiago hatchback. The only difference one can spot is the headlights and new hexagonal grill]. The compact sedan was launched just a few days ago on the March 29, 2017 [Tata Tigor Review and Test Drive here] though the pre-booking of the model kick started on the 20th March, 2017 against a booking amount of Rs. 5,000/-.
An unbeatable combination of style and substance is here to be yours. Book your Tata #TigorStyleback here: https://t.co/NDLEXZJTNT pic.twitter.com/0VlEY9HVx6
— Tata Motors (@TataMotors) March 22, 2017
Tigor engines were designed and optimised with the help of AVL Austria, a global engine consultant, and key technology partners — Bosch, Honeywell and INA.
Mayank Pareek, President, Tata Motors – Passenger Vehicle Division said:
Denoting the IMPACT design language, best-in-class driving features and an advance infotainment system, the Tata TIGOR Styleback is a clear and exciting harbinger of future vehicles from Tata Motors, set to disrupt the passenger car market in India. We have received an overwhelming response for the TIGOR Styleback in its very first week of preview. We hope our customers enjoy the experience of our Styleback. Tata Tigor is third product embodying IMPACT Design philosophy after Tiago and Hexa.
Tigor will compete with Maruti Suzuki Dzire, Hyundai Xcent and Honda Amaze. Tigor will have a large bot space overtaking that of compact SUV Hyundai Creta.
Tamo’s other latest launch – the SUV Hexa which has garnered sales of over 2,524 units in less than sixty days since launch, has a waiting period of 8 weeks now.
Mayank Pareek, President, Tata Motors – Passenger Vehicle Division said:
Hexa has got a good response. It beats our expectations. It has close to eight weeks of a waiting period and continuously growing. It is bringing the new set of customers to us and teaching to meet their aspirations.
We hired the different set of sales executive for Hexa exclusively. These were not from industry but these were from the service industry, aviation and hospitality where there is no hard sell. We also trained these executives at the experience centre we created. We gave them exposure of staying in five star to make them understand the customer lifestyle and sensitise them.
Tamo also unveiled its first in-house designed sports car christened Racemo.
Racemo is a two-seater sports coupe designed at Tata Motors design studio in Turin, Italy. The project was conceived 22 months ago under Tim Leverton, head of R&D at Tata Motors. The model is designed on a very innovative Moflex chassis construct – conceived by legendary designer Marcelo Gandini – using multi-material sandwich structure technology. The car will go into production and will be market available in the second half of 2018.
Guenter Butschek, CEO & MD, Tata Motors said:
Racemo is the first innovation from TAMO, and our emotional, unexpected leap to the future. Symbolising the change that is taking place at Tata Motors, Racemo is the proving ground of the TAMO family of vehicles and will drive the future of India’s connected generation. From styling and design to driver experience and technology, Racemo is an extension of customers’ personality, as part of their digital ecosystem and will break the ice with a radical new presence and pique the interest in the parent brand.
On the commercial vehicles front, Tata Motors is looking to become one of the top global players in the next two years so that the commercial vehicles market share stand close to 25% of the overall sales pie.
This is what Tata Motors Executive Director (Commercial Vehicles) Ravi Pisharody said:
Last year, the company entered into an MoU with PT Pindad of Indonesia to explore market potential of armoured vehicles in the country and elsewhere in Asean. We are also foraying into Bolivia through a distribution agreement with local partners Bolivian Auto Motors.
Our new range of trucks will have better connectivity features, save fuel cost, increase payload and reach top speed faster. At Tata Motors, telematics for connected trucking is already a standard fitment in our entire range of tractor vehicles.
First would be aggressively increasing the global footprint in the past 18 months, second greater penetration in markets where it is already present by introducing its new line of vehicles – Prima and Ultra and third looking at markets where it has substantial presence and now wants to set up assembly facility with local partners to achieve higher sales.
Here is Mayank Pareek, President, Tata Motors – Passenger Vehicle Division on the company’s game plan to become the number three carmaker by FY’19.
After a failed partnership with FIAT, Tata Motors has joined hands with Volkswagen and Skoda. This would be for joint development of products, technologies and component sourcing. [Catch the interview with Managing Director Guenter Butschek here]
This is what the company said in a statement:
Tata Motors and Skoda Auto, representing the Volkswagen Group, will detail out the guiding principles and terms of cooperation in the next few months.
Post successful completion of definitive agreements, the two companies will start joint development work and joint value chain activities. Based on this joint work, Tata Motors plans to launch products in the Indian market, starting calendar year 2019.
Tata Motors reported sales of 57,145 units in March, 2017 against 53,057 units during the same time last year resulting in a growth of 7.7%.
- Domestic Sales of Passenger Vehicles stood at 15,433 units due to continued strong demand for the Tata Tiago.
- Domestic Commercial Vehicles sales stood at 35,876 units as the company was affected by the Supreme Court judgement announced on March 29, leading to confusion and the consequent focus at the dealer level to increase retail and to reduce the levels of unsold stock.
- Exports stood at 5,836 units in March 2017, a decline of 8% compared to 6,356 vehicles sold in March 2016.
Commenting on the sales performance Mayank Pareek, President, Passenger Vehicles Business Unit, Tata Motors, said:
The sales for the month of March have been encouraging with a robust growth of 84% owing to the continued demand for TIAGO and HEXA. The launch of the HEXA, TIAGO AMT and TIGOR have set new benchmarks in their respective segments signifying Tata Motors as one of the fastest growing manufacturers in India
Note: Sales numbers presented here are manufacturer reported sales numbers i.e. factory dispatches to dealerships. They are NOT retail sales figures to end customers.
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