India Adds Punch To Its Car Industry

Bertel Schmitt
by Bertel Schmitt

India will likely report a good September for most of its carmakers. The final numbers are not expected until a week from now, but here are the results of some of the most important ones. Keep in mind that these “sales” numbers are the total of what has been sold in India and what has been shipped abroad. The Indian domestic market is still a bit sluggish, but exports are picking up nicely.

Tata: 78,786 units, up 22%


Toyota: 12,807 units, up 105%


Ford: 10,270 units, up 9.45%


GM: 10,112 units, up 17.35 percent


Hyundai: 57,808 units, up 12.4 percent


Maruti-Suzuki: 85,565 units, down 21%

India’s biggest carmaker Suzuki had trouble making cars due to a strike at its Manesar plant.

GM’s success goes mostly on account of the Chevrolet Beat (a.k.a. Spark) Diesel, which accounted for half of GM’s September volume.

Tata sold 2,936 Nanos, down 47 percent over September last year. Ever heard of their Indica? That one sold 10,282 units, up 64 percent.

The explosive growth of Toyota mostly goes on account of the Etios and Etios Liva. Toyota has a clear winner in this car, which is already half of Toyota’s sales in India.

(Tip o’ the turban to Cammy, who still has her eyes on India.)

Bertel Schmitt
Bertel Schmitt

Bertel Schmitt comes back to journalism after taking a 35 year break in advertising and marketing. He ran and owned advertising agencies in Duesseldorf, Germany, and New York City. Volkswagen A.G. was Bertel's most important corporate account. Schmitt's advertising and marketing career touched many corners of the industry with a special focus on automotive products and services. Since 2004, he lives in Japan and China with his wife <a href="http://www.tomokoandbertel.com"> Tomoko </a>. Bertel Schmitt is a founding board member of the <a href="http://www.offshoresuperseries.com"> Offshore Super Series </a>, an American offshore powerboat racing organization. He is co-owner of the racing team Typhoon.

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  • Avtopromenade Avtopromenade on Oct 02, 2011

    "(Tip o’ the turban to Cammy, who still has her eyes on India.)" Cammy? That Cammy? Bertel, that stupid drunken British hoe Cammy? Give my regards to her Bertel. Bertel, you and Cammy are like two birds.... that I'd like to kill with one stone (figuratively speaking). You on duty this weekend Bertel?

    • Bertel Schmitt Bertel Schmitt on Oct 03, 2011

      Once in a while, we let our friend Avtopromenade out to get some badly needed air. Then, he promptly violates his parole and goes right back. Sorry!

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