">Forum Views ()
">Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
India auto sales slide 7.4 percent in January
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
Yahoo! Search
Search:
Sign InNew User? Sign Up
News Home -
Help
Navigation
Primary Navigation
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Secondary Navigation
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Search
Search:
India auto sales slide 7.4 percent in January
By ERIKA KINETZ,AP Business Writer AP - Tuesday, February 10
MUMBAI, India - India's auto sector skidded into deeper trouble in January, with domestic vehicle sales falling 7.4 percent from a year ago to 768,622 units as tight credit and slowing growth dampened demand, an industry body said Monday.
ADVERTISEMENT
While sales of passenger vehicles fell 6.9 percent, those of commercial vehicles _ trucks, buses and other large vehicles _ tumbled a stunning 51 percent from a year earlier, the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers said. That's dealt a big blow to Tata Motors, the country's largest commercial vehicle maker.
Until recently, India's automotive sector had enjoyed years of double digit growth, drawing foreign automakers like General Motors Corp., Ford Motor Co., Hyundai Motor Co. and Suzuki Motor Corp., who hoped sales in India's small but fast-growing market could help offset waning growth elsewhere.
The dismal numbers come after five months of aggressive interest rate cuts by India's central bank. Other recent stimulus measures, such tax cuts _ which automakers quickly passed on to consumers _ and a pay raise and back pay disbursements for thousands of Indian civil servants have also failed to quickly reinvigorate the auto market.
"The shrinkage is only a temporary phenomenon," said Dilip Chenoy, the director general of the group. He predicted growth will rebound once banks pass on lower interest rates to consumers and government plans to ease credit for commercial vehicle purchases and buy buses take effect.
Exports of passenger vehicles have been the sole bright spot for automakers in India. They rose 8.5 percent in January to 21,616, while from April through January they surged 59.55 percent, to 275,674, the group said.
Chenoy said the outlook for exports was positive because automakers like Hyundai use India as a global hub for small vehicle production.
Meanwhile, domestic sales of commercial vehicles in the 10 months through January slid 19.8 percent, to 311,283, and exports fell 18.99 percent, to 37,808 vehicles, the group said.
That's hit Tata Motors, India's largest commercial vehicle manufacturer, especially hard, with domestic sales in January down 30 percent to 35,704 vehicles.
Last week, the company, which is struggling to refinance the remaining $2 billion of a $3 billion loan it took to purchase Jaguar and Land Rover from Ford Motor Co. in June, said it has been forced to delay some payments to vendors.
Tata's chief executive Ravi Kant told reporters earlier this month that "the magnitude and pace" of the slowdown in the auto market was unexpected and that the company was trying to cope as best it could.
Maruti Suzuki, India's largest automaker, said its domestic sales rose 5.6 percent in January to 67,005 vehicles.
But other major makers saw domestic sales decline.
Hyundai Motor India Ltd., India's largest passenger car exporter, said domestic sales dropped 13.5 percent in January, to 21,016 vehicles, even as exports grew by 20.9 percent, to 16,200 vehicles.
Domestic sales at Mahindra & Mahindra, another large Indian automaker, slid 17.1 percent in January, to 17,320 vehicles.
Email Story
IM Story
Printable View
Blog This
Recommend this article
Average (0 votes)
Sign in to recommend this article »
Most Recommended Stories »
Related Articles: Business
Amazon says new Kindle to be slimmer, out Feb. 24AP - 25 minutes ago
Stocks show moderate pullback after big rallyAP - 26 minutes ago
BRIEF-Turkey's TEB says 2008 net profit up 27 pctReuters - 28 minutes ago
GM Vice Chairman Lutz to retire at end of 2009AP - 31 minutes ago
US-BUSINESS SummaryReuters - 34 minutes ago
Most Popular – Business
Viewed
Taliban video of Polish hostage beheading
Swiss banks to announce massive losses: report
Nissan to shed 20,000 jobs as recession woes mount
Unnatural selection: How far will parents go?
Bus-sized boa slithers into record books
View Complete List »
Search:
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy
- Terms of Service
- Community
- Intellectual Property Rights Policy
- Help
Other News on Monday, 9 February 2009 Australia's deadliest bushfire kills 108
| International
|
Iran's Khatami to run in presidential election
| International
|
Pakistani Taliban release tape of Pole's murder
| International
|
Obama Re-Thinks Afghanistan Troop Surge
Father And Son Killed In Padlocked Trailer Fire
Three Found Dead In Apparent Murder/Suicide In Manhattan's Upper West Side
Plant and Krauss bound for Grammy glory
| Entertainment
|
Moviegoers ready for romance, snub Oscar pictures
| Entertainment
|
Jude Law plays cross-dressing Minx in new film
| Entertainment
|
Frosty reception for Mammoth at Berlin fest
| Entertainment
|
Australian bushfires kill 130, dozens more missing
| International
|
Israeli aircraft hit 2 militant targets in Gaza
Israel warplanes bomb Gaza after rocket attacks
| International
|
Israel warplanes bomb Gaza after rocket attacks
Usher Cancels Grammy Ceremony After Wife Tameka Suffers Plastic Surgery Complications In Brazil
Tamil Tiger suicide blast hits refugees: military
| International
|
Khost: A US war snared in Afghan realities
Holocaust-denier removed from Argentine seminary
| International
|
Taliban video of Polish hostage beheading
Iraqi women's minister resigns in protest
South Korea to stand firm despite North's threats
| International
|
Obama to appeal to public on rescue plan
Former reformist Iranian president will run again
German economy minister says will step down Monday
Netanyahu: No return of Golan Heights to Syria
German economy minister to hand in resignation Monday
Iran's Khatami to run in June presidential election
Merkel, party agree to let economy minister quit: sources
Iraqi shoe thrower due in court
Israel's Livni woos female voters ahead of poll
| International
|
Swiss banks to announce massive losses: report
Israeli poll rivals square off over security
24 bodies pulled from plane wreck in Brazil river
| International
|
Swiss say big yes to EU labour
China human rights record stirs struggle at home
| International
|
Militants killing laughter and music in Pakistan region
| International
|
China's Wen urges leniency for Cambridge shoe thrower
| International
|
W.House seeks final passage of stimulus
U.S. Offers Bangladesh Help In Protecting Sea Borders, Resources
Mali video raises hopes for kidnapped Canadians
US hero pilot left prayers to 'somebody in back'
US-TECH Summary
US military deaths in Iraq war at 4,239
Russia signals new optimism on ties with U.S
Microsoft to launch cell phone software store: paper
Nude art clothed in protest against China's Internet crackdown
Spanish top court bars two parties from Basque polls
Microsoft to launch cell phone software store: paper
Two killed as Philippines military attacks teachers' kidnappers
Malaysia opposition party backs Anwar as leader
Plant, Krauss sweep Grammys with folk tribute
| Entertainment
|
Australian fire zone declared a crime scene
Chris Brown charged with making criminal threats
| Entertainment
|
27 SKoreans charged over deadly sit-in blaze: prosecutors
Techno-punk Prodigy back to scare off invaders
| Entertainment
|
Chinese man gets death penalty for killing 8
Actors group reconfirms stance on labor talks
US army chief tells NKorea to stop provocations
Blink-182 announces reunion at Grammys
| Entertainment
|
Indonesian floods close airport, cause landslides
Slumdog sweeps British film awards
| Entertainment
|
China urges Cambridge to forgive shoe-hurler
Viva la Vida wins Grammy for song of the year
| Entertainment
|
Judicial inquiry in Australian wildfires
Slumdog, Milk win Writers Guild honors
| Entertainment
|
Taiwan temple loans fund million-dollar toilets
India forecasts growth of 7.1 percent for 2008-09
Actors group reconfirms stance on labor talks
| Entertainment
|
Nissan to cut 20,000 jobs, forecasts big loss
Comedian George Carlin wins posthumous Grammy
| Entertainment
|
Seoul shares retreat as Samsung Elec, Ssangyong drop
Resurgent Mickey Rourke pins down another award
| Entertainment
|
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
No 'Buy China' policy: Beijing official
Techno-punk Prodigy back to scare off invaders
Korea Gas sees LNG '09 import costs up 5 pct y/y
Late absences of Brown, Rihanna cause shuffling
Taiwan 2009 orders to fall 10 pct as downturn worsens
Plant, Krauss sweep Grammys with folk tribute
Japan machinery orders fall less than expected
Blink-182 announces reunion at Grammys
Philippines to export more workers to ease crisis at home
Plant, Krauss win 5 Grammys; Brown booked
S.Korea Jan producer inflation at 1-yr low
Wozniak to hoof it on `Dancing with the Stars'
Reactions to the 51st annual Golden Globe Awards
Japan sees record fall in current account surplus
Fewer prostitutes, but conditions worsen after new law in Norway
Actors group reconfirms stance on labor talks
Fire claims building at CCTV Beijing headquarters
| International
|
Broader Gaza truce seen possible next week
Vonn strikes double gold at the World Ski Championships
Israeli election battle too close to call
| International
|
Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, Lil Wayne And Coldplay Dominate Grammy Awards In LA
UK lender Barclays rides out storm to post profit
Iranians fret over economy as president race shapes up
Eddie Murphy Ordered To Pay $50K Child Support To His Child With Mel B
Nissan to shed 20,000 jobs as recession woes mount
Sudan reportedly expels reporter over Darfur
Indian woman has football-sized tumour removed from jaw
Suspected ETA bomb explodes in Madrid
| International
|
Indian Musician A.R. Rahman Wins BAFTA For Best Music Score
Madagascar defence minister resigns
Whitney Houston Makes A Comeback At Pre-Grammy Party
Inspectors visit clinic in Italy right-to-die case
| International
|
Jade Goody To Renew Living TV Deal Despite Her Cancer Battle
Hamas cries foul over death in West Bank custody
| International
|
Chris Brown Arrested And Released On Bail Over Alleged Felony Battery Charge
Merkel loses Economy Minister ahead of election
| International
|
Kyrgyzstan stalls U.S. airbase closure vote
Amazon New York event spurs talk of new Kindle model
| Technology
|
Oil climbs towards $41 after OPEC supply pledge
Microsoft to launch cell phone software store: paper
| Technology
|
Rep. Artur Davis Begins Bid To Become First Black Alabama Governor
Vodafone, Hutchison to merge Australia businesses
| Technology
|
Legislators In 11 States Plan To Require Ultrasound Prior To Abortion
Report: Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius Top Contender For Health Secretary
Merkel in political crisis as economy minister resigns
Identity Theft Cases Up, But Amount Involved Down
Massachusetts Reports Rise In Elderly Abuse
Argentine seminary ousts Holocaust denier as leader
Massachusetts Reports Rise In Elder Abuse
Spanish minister blames ETA for van bomb in Madrid
Portland OR Bomb Squad Blows Up Student Science Project
Italian Senate tries to halt mercy killing
Race For Boston Mayor Heats Up With Asian-American City Councilor's Bid
Economic Crisis Boosts Car Repair Business
Six Americans Missing After Small Plane Crashes In Ocean Off Northern Puerto Rico
Metallica seeks Monsters of Rock magic in Europe
| Entertainment
|
Suicide bomber kills 28 in Sri Lanka: military
Female suicide bomber kills 28 in Sri Lanka
Nine children among 13 killed in Pakistan fighting
Emotions scarier than aliens: Will Smith
Pakistan wants more Mumbai attack evidence
Suspected Maoist rebels kill 6 policemen in India
Head of LG Electronics cool on domestic layoffs
Bangladesh, India deals to boost trade, investment
Government: India growth to slow to 7.1 percent
China denies censorship, persecuting minorities
Pakistan targets 130 bln rupees in T-bill auction
Poll: Support for Japan's PM falls to 18 percent
India auto sales slide 7.4 percent in January
Clashes in Philippines near where hostages held
Chris Brown charged with making criminal threats
Pakistan says c.bank rule won't hurt fuel imports
Australian bushfire toll rises to 171
Legislators In 11 States Plan To Require Ultrasound Prior To Abortion
Plant and Krauss dominate Grammys
Japan Tobacco sees record sales despite recession
Identity Theft Cases Up, But Amount Involved Down
Metallica seeks Monsters of Rock magic in Europe
Iran To Build 4 More Satellites
Pakistan's Jan trade gap narrows to $1.17 bln
Emotions scarier than aliens: Will Smith
Motorola Downsizes Philippine Operations
Taiwan's Jan exports slump at record pace
Taiwan dollar falls to 4-1/2-yr low on c.bank move
Chinalco shares up on talk of reshuffle, Rio deal
Woman Becomes First To Swim The Atlantic With Arrival At Trinidad
Massachusetts Reports Rise In Elderly Abuse
Massachusetts Reports Rise In Elder Abuse
Portland OR Bomb Squad Blows Up Student Science Project
FDA Approves Drug From Genetically Engineered Goat
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights