Indian commercial vehicle maker Ashok Leyland sold 2,321 vehicles in December, a decline of 63.4% on December 2007.
Go deeper with GlobalData
Discover B2B Marketing That Performs
Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.
In the April-December period, Ashok Leyland sold 43,657 vehicles, compared with 55,998 vehicles in the corresponding period of last year — a fall of 22%.
Most of the downturn was due to lower domestic sales on a slower economy.
Ashok Leyland sold just 637 medium and heavy duty goods carriers in December, compared with 4,153 in the same month last year — a fall of 84.6%. In November 2008, the company sold 1,950 of these vehicles.
However, some of the decline at home was offset by stronger exports.
Ashok Leyland exported 424 medium and heavy duty cargo vehicles compared with 194 in December last year. However, it sold fewer buses — 458 against 638 — in the overseas markets.
The Hindu Business Line reported that Ashok Leyland company officials see some bright in the gloom. The Indian government has promised money to the State Transport Undertakings for purchase of new vehicles. On Monday, Ashok Leyland’s Managing Director, Mr R. Seshasayee, observed that some 30,000 buses with the various STUs needed replacement and the government’s assistance would spur demand from this source.
