Despite attractive year-end discounts and offers on its vehicles, Tata Motors’ passenger vehicle division reported a 33% decline in sales in December 2015. Passenger vehicle sales were down at 8,069 units, compared to 12,040 units YoY. The wholesales of passenger cars in December 2015 were down by 31% at 6,900 units, compared to 9,956 units in December 2014 and the UV sales declined even more by 44% at 1,169 units, in the month.

The usual trend of car buyers postponing their purchases to the new year weighed on most carmakers and Tata Motors was no exception. Additionally, the company said that the ‘unusual’ surge in sales in December 2014, in anticipation of increase in excise duty, also resulted in a sharp YoY fall in sales last December. 

In commercial vehicles segment, LCV sales growth outpaced that of M&HCVs for Tata Motors in December. While M&HCV sales continued to grow at 12,673 units, higher by 2%, over December 2014, the LCV sales witnessed growth at 14,674 units, higher by 11% over December 2014, thus increasing the overall commercial vehicles sales for Tata Motors in the domestic market by 6%, at 27,347 units, in December 2015, compared to 25,736 nos in December 2014.

The company said that the current LCV sales growth if sustained could see a turnaround in this segment, albeit on a low base.

The total sale of Tata Motors’ passenger and commercial vehicles (including exports) were at 39,973 vehicles, lower by 4%, over 41,734 vehicles, sold in December 2014. The domestic sale of Tata commercial and passenger vehicles for December 2015 were at 35,416 units lower by 6% over 37,776 vehicles a year ago.

The company's sales from exports stood at 4,557 units in December 2015, up 15% compared to 3,958 vehicles in December 2014.