August Sales Figure - Tata Motors

Tata Motors August sales at 64,078 nos.

Tata Motors' total sales (including exports) of Tata commercial and passenger vehicles in August 2011 were 64,078 vehicles, lower by 3% over August 2010. The company's domestic sales of Tata commercial and passenger vehicles for August 2011 were 59,874 nos., lower by 2% over 60,797 nos. sold in August last year.

Cumulative sales (including exports) for the company for the fiscal are 320,877 nos., a growth of 2% over 315,460 nos., sold last year.




Commercial Vehicles
The company's sales of commercial vehicles in August 2011 in the domestic market were 43,045 nos., a 21% growth compared to 35,585 vehicles sold in August last year. LCV sales were 26,344 nos., a growth of 27% over August last year. M&HCV sales stood at 16,701 nos., a growth of 12% over August last year.

Cumulative sales of commercial vehicles in the domestic market for the fiscal are 196,887 nos., a growth of 17% over last year. Cumulative LCV sales are 118,808 nos., a growth of 23% over last year, while M&HCV sales stood at 78,079 nos., a growth of 8% over last year.



Passenger Vehicles

The passenger vehicles business reported a total sale and distribution offtake of 17,898 nos. (16,829 Tata + 1,069 Fiat) in the domestic market in August 2011, lower by 34% compared to 27,024 nos. (25,212 Tata + 1,812 Fiat) in August last year. Sales of Tata passenger vehicles for August 2011 are at 16,829 nos, lower by 33% over August last year.

Production at Tata Motors' Sanand plant has resumed after a temporary suspension for about a fortnight. This was done for maintenance and to rationalise and align inventory. Consequently, sales of the Tata Nano from the company to dealerships were limited to 1,202 nos., lower by 85% over August last year. The company is witnessing very encouraging response to consumer-oriented marketing efforts, resulting in increasing inquiries and footfalls at the company's showrooms. Read The real story for Tata Nano's dismal sales in AUG 2011!
 
The Indica range sales were 7,206 nos., lower by 4% over August last year. The Indigo range recorded sales of 5,100 nos., lower by 24% over August last year. The Sumo/ Safari/ Aria/ Venture range accounted for sales of 3,321 nos., a growth of 15% over August last year.

Jaguar Land Rover sales in India continued their upward trend.

Cumulative sales and distribution offtake of passenger vehicles in the domestic market for the fiscal are 107,003 nos. (99,129 Tata +7,874 Fiat), against 135,524 nos. (125,311 Tata + 10,213 Fiat) last year, lower by 21%. Cumulative sales of Tata passenger vehicles were 99,129 nos., lower by 21% compared to 125,311 nos., till August last year.Cumulative sales of the Nano are 26,441 nos., lower by 17% compared to 31,882 nos., till August last year.Cumulative sales of the Indica range are 31,001 nos., lower by 27%. Cumulative sales of the Indigo family are 24,409 nos., lower by 30%. Cumulative sales of the Sumo/Safari/ Aria range are 17,278 nos., higher by 9%.

ExportsThe company's sales from exports at 4,204 vehicles in August 2011 are lower by 18% compared to 5,157 vehicles in August last year. The cumulative sales from exports for the fiscal at 24,861 nos. are higher by 15% over 21,641 nos. in the same period last year.

The real story for Tata Nano's dismal sales in AUG 2011!

 

We have found out the actual reason behind why only 1,202 Nanos reached Tata dealer stockyards in the month of August.

Tata suspended production for a fortnight at it’s Sanand plant in Gujarat, on account of annual plant maintenance and realignment of Tata Nano inventory at the dealerships. This stoppage in production has led to only 1,202 units of the Tata Nano being shipped to Tata dealers across India. Hence, the lower monthly sales figure for the Tata Nano.

On the renewed marketing focus for the Nano, Tata Motors Limited also had this to say,

The company is witnessing very encouraging response to consumer-oriented marketing efforts, resulting in increasing inquiries and footfalls at the company’s showrooms.

From Tata Motors’ statement regarding the Tata Nano’s dismal numbers in August, 2011, it is evident that the Nano’s lower numbers have to do with a cut in production at Sanand than with massive fall in buyers for the revolutionary small car. However, it remains to be seen whether the marketing initiative by Tata Motors for the Nano brings in some good results as the Nano’s sales have been on a decline for some time now.

Also worth considering is the fact whether Tata Motors would hasten the arrival of the upgraded and diesel engined versions of the Tata Nano at this juncture to boost sales as the demand for diesel cars continue to rise in the Indian market. We, for out part will track September Nano numbers closely to see whether the demand for the Nano picks up in the coming days. Watch this space! 

Source: http://indiancarsbikes.in 

Jaguar XJL - The nicest ride I have ever driven

The 2011 Jaguar XJL sedan

2011 Jaguar XJL Supercharged

I consider myself a pretty practical person. While quality is very important to me, I’ve never been one of those individuals that had to have material items for the sake of status.

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Over the years folks often ask me if I could afford any of the vehicles I test drive, what would I buy. I always provide a “practical” response, based on what type of vehicle they happened to be interested in.

Everyone always seemed shocked that I never named a high-end luxury model that had a list price starting in the six figure range.

Even if I had Bill Gate’s bank account, I’ve don’t think I could justify paying more money for a vehicle than I did for my house.

Of course, living on the salary of a mild mannered reporter has played a key role in keeping those urges in check.

But things change.

Maybe it’s because I’m getting older and I feel the need to start taking care of my own wants and desires.

Maybe it’s just the car.

Whatever the reason, if I had the bucks, I would definitely invest in this week’s test vehicle — the Jaguar XJL Supercharged.

Yes, it is expensive.

But out of the more than 5,000 vehicles I have driven during my tenure as an auto writer, it is one of the nicest rides I have ever driven.

Yes, the XJ is a very aspirational vehicle that draws a lot of attention.

All week long I’ve had people pull into the parking lot at the paper and stop to take photos of the car. A few have even asked if I would unlock the doors so they could sit in it.

While you do feel like the Cat Daddy driving down the road, I’m more impressed with what this car will do, rather than how it looks.

Powered by Jaguar’s new 5.0-liter V-8 engine, the XJ is available in six variants.

The base XJ and XJL features the naturally aspirated version, delivering 385 horsepower and 380 lbs.-ft. torque.

A twin vortex supercharger ups performance for the XJ Supercharged and XJL Supercharged to 470 horsepower (424 lbs.-ft. torque).

If that’s not enough power, performance for the XJ Supersport and XJL Supersport is boosted to 510 horsepower (461 lbs.-ft. torque).

If you’re wondering about the “L” designation, that’s Jaguar’s terminology for its long-wheelbase models that add five additional inches of rear seat legroom, making for one of the most comfortable back seats on the road.

And in terms of luxury, the XJ is at the top of the charts.

The only thing that’s not included is a chauffeur.

But this is where I’m torn, it’s so fun to drive, why would you want one?

As I mentioned earlier, quality is important to me. While elegant, luxurious and loaded with the latest technology, it is very apparent that a lot of attention to detail was put into every aspect of this vehicle. The engineering and craftsmanship is outstanding and the proof is evident once you push the start button, engage the transmission selector and hit the road.

I highly recommend this car.

Neal White has been covering the automotive industry for more than 20 years and is affiliated with the Texas Auto Writers Association.

MODEL:2011 Jaguar XJ
5-seat luxury sedan
Rear-wheel drive

Trim packages:XJ, XJ Supercharged, XJ Supersport
Regular- and long-wheelbase

PRICE RANGE:$75,000-$120,000

ENGINE:5.0-L V-8
(385 hp/380 torque)
(470 hp/424 torque) SC
(510 hp/461 torque) SS

TRANSMISSION:6-speed auto w/paddle shift

EPA: 16/15/15 mpg city, 23/21/21 mpg highway (XJ/SC/SS)

FUEL: Premium unleaded

TRACTION CONTROL:Dynamic stability control, cornering brake control, understeer control, electronic traction control, engine drag torque control

BRAKES: ABS

LENGTH: 201.7/206.6 inches*

WHEELBASE: 119.4/124.3 inches *

WIDTH: 83.2 inches

HEIGHT: 57 inches

WEIGHT: 4045-4323 lbs.

TRACK: 64.1/63.1
(front/rear)

FUEL TANK: 21.7 gallons

TIRES: 19-, or 20-inch
Regular- and long-wheelbase

Tata Sumo Grande to get a makeover in November

Since 1997, The Tata Sumo was the undisputed leader in the Indian MUV segment until a certain Toyota Qualis came along. Ever since, Tata Motors’ multiple attempts to fight back and regain lost ground with Sumo variants like the Victa and the Victa DI has only become an uphill task with a multitude of capable MUVs like the Mahindra Bolero and Chevrolet Tavera nibbling away at market share.

Tata Sumo Grande MPV

In the meanwhile, Toyota withdrew the QualisMUV at the peak of its demand, much to the surprise of most, and replaced the ultra successful Qualis with the Innova MUV, which soon became a best seller too.  Mahindta responded in a while with the Xylo MPV, which also is a brisk seller. Tata however was quite late to come up with an Innova challenger and when it did, the Sumo Grande was born.

But the sales for the Grande however have bee less than encouraging with the MPV remaining a distant third, behind the Innova and the Xylo. In yet another attempt by Tata to win back some market share and keep the Sumo Grande relevant in the MPV market, a facelift is being planned for the month of November, according to our sources. The Sumo Grande in itself is a very capable MPV that has plenty of potential.

For the uninitiated, the Tata Sumo Grande come with a 2.2 Liter DICOR diesel engine producing 120 Bhp. This engine mated to a 5 speed transmission endows the Sumo Grande with sprightly performance. The Sumo Grande also handles much better than the boat like Mahindra Xylo which pitches and rolls like a drunken elephant making for a very hairy high speed driving experience.

 The price of the Sumo Grande too is lower than both the Xylo and the Innova. So, the Sumo Grande does have some inherent strengths that Tata could really use to give the Sumo Grande a proper makeover by ironing out the rougher edges like the flimsy plastics, the notchy gearbox and the bumpy ride due to the leaf springs suspension layout at the rear.

Clear Channel Mudra launches outdoor execution with Tata Aria 4X2 launch

Tata Aria 4x2, An innovative outdoor Execution from Clear Channel Mudra

Clear Channel Mudra has launched an innovative outdoor execution for Tata Aria, a crossover SUV produced by Tata Motors. For 21 days starting from this month, Clear Channel Mudra has helped launch Tata Aria 4X2, a never-before experience for commuters.

The key task was to build awareness & interest around the 4X2 version as well as draw eyeballs and become an intense talking point about the brand. Clear Channel’s aim was thus to build Outdoor as a support medium to print & TVC by spreading awareness and generating leads. One very important aspect was to target dealerships across India, encouraging more walk-ins & enquiries. Rather than being present at every nook & corner, the agency’s strategy focused on planning in a more concentrated way to address the target audience at key commercial areas, business centres of the cities, automobile hubs, areas in the vicinity of Tata Motor’s dealers & Airports.


Apart from the ongoing monsoon season in India, the biggest challenge for Clear Channel Mudra was to gain attention and generate excitement around it’s the product offering. The company used some unconventional media. A pilot was carried out on the heavy commercial vehicles wherein a 15ft long Tata Aria creative was displayed on both the sides. These containers/vehicles traveled across the nation through National Highways. This provided a good opportunity to showcase the communications on the highways which lack good media options. The amount of buzz created and the increase in footprint has resulted in scaling up the campaign to more number of vehicles and routes. As a unique guerilla marketing tactic, an actual vehicle is being placed at one of the busiest and strategically important junctions of Mumbai- Mahim causeway. This is coupled with a huge backlit revolving Tata Aria logo. This is the first time any automobile player in India would be showcasing their product right at the playground- The Roads! Inspite of Mahim causeway being cluttered with 15-20 different messages displayed at any given point of time, the campaign has succeeded in captivating maximum attention. Also, vigilant monitoring schedules have helped in reducing the turnaround time substantially.

Adille Sumariwalla, MD Clear Channel Mudra said “We launched the Aria last year, which was a tough act to follow this time around, since the benchmark set by the successful campaign was pretty high. Owing to the prevalent high clutter levels in the automobile and non-automobile categories, we had a further challenging task to create awareness and generate interest in the new variant to the relevant audience. The campaign had good visibility, with high quality sites at frequent intervals across markets minimizing media wastage and spillovers. Our impeccable planning made sure that campaign had an appropriate share of voice with proportionate share of expenses. The creative was focused and lent itself beautifully to the medium, with an arresting visual and clear communication of the message. This provided an early acceptance to the campaign. Execution wise we adhered closely to a strict rollout schedule to avoid delays that were brought on by the many holidays during the launch period, yet capitalize on the same, to drive test drive and purchase decisions.”

Rajesh Nair, Head Utility Vehicle Product Group said "Aria as a brand is focused toward a specific kind of customer, who is spoilt for choice in the current scenario. Therefore while the product needs to conform to high standards and expectations, the communication also needs to ensure the features of the car are highlighted. With its large format hoardings and close proximity to the user, outdoor plays an important role for an Automobile brand. Spreading the campaign across 38 key markets with sites at key locations definitely helped in building a good reach. In addition to the outdoor campaign, the team executed some innovative ideas to garner good visibility for the brand. Displaying the actual product on Mahim Causeway and putting up creative’s on the vehicles has helped create a buzz. It was a good experience working with Clear channel Mudra for this campaign. They helped in quality planning and execution of the campaign across markets.