4-wheeler sales in January up 26%

Sales of four-wheeler companies in January have witnessed a growth of 26.16 per cent, whereas for the 10-month period, they increased by 23.94 per cent. Tata Motors disappointed with a slower growth in the cars segment in January, even as Maruti Udyog witnessed a decline in sales of the Maruti 800, Baleno, Esteem and multi-utility vehicles.

Of the four companies under review, Ashok Leyland outperformed others posting 66.8 per cent sales growth during the month. Maruti Udyog performed well with 30.4 per cent growth, followed by Mahindra & Mahindra (21.56 per cent) and Tata Motors (18.88 per cent).

Tata Motors underperformed its peers largely on account of a marginal 4.6 per cent growth in the cars segment. On the contrary, Maruti Udyog posted 28.8 per cent rise in car sales volume, despite a decline in production of the M-800 and Esteem.

Tata Motors' overall sales in January grew by 18.88 per cent year-on-year to 55,440 units, mainly driven by commercial vehicles (CVs), which witnessed a growth of 30 per cent to 31,312 units.

The heavy commercial vehicle and LCV segments grew 28.1 per cent and 32.1 per cent, respectively. However, passenger vehicles grew at a lower rate of seven per cent.

The Indica reported its highest ever monthly sales since its launch at 14 per cent. For the 10 months ended January, Tata Motors' overall sales grew 31.2 per cent.

Mahindra & Mahindra's sales of utility vehicle, LCVs, three-wheelers and tractors went up by 20.28 per cent. The company's three segments - UVs, LCVs and three-wheelers "� together grew by 25.6 per cent while the tractor division witnessed a growth of 13.2 per cent.

For the 10-month period, M&M's sales of the three segments went up by 18.4 per cent while the tractor segment saw a growth of 24.1 per cent.

Maruti Udyog reported an impressive sales volume growth of 30.4 per cent for January. The sales of the Omni and Versa grew by 41 per cent and that of the Alto and Wagon R by 42 per cent. For the 10-month period, overall sales volume rose by 42 per cent.

Fuelled by both passenger and goods segments, which grew 56 per cent and 70 per cent, respectively, Ashok Leyland posted a robust 67 per cent sales growth in January 2007. For 10 months, the company's sales increased impressively by 41.6 per cent.