Tata Motors, a significant player in India’s car market issued a warning in its May 2025 Vehicle Sales Report data announcing total vehicle sales decreased 9%, when Tata Motors sold 76,766 units in May 2024 and 70,187 in May 2025. Tata Motors had growth in some of its sub-segments but the overall decline shows some headwinds in the total market and further the passenger vehicle (PV) numbers are a troubling trend.
Let’s explore the Tata Motors sales figures and review what caused the decline-and there is some positives.
Passenger Vehicles (PV): Key Reason Behind the Drop
Passenger vehicle sales, including electric vehicles (EVs), saw a significant dip this May.
- Total PV sales: 42,040 units (down 11% YoY from 47,075 units)
- Domestic PV sales: 41,557 units
- Exported PVs: 483 units
- Electric vehicle sales (combined): 5,685 units (up 2% YoY)
Despite the downturn in PV numbers, the growth in EV sales by 2% offers a ray of hope, indicating increasing customer interest in Tata’s electric lineup. With strong performers like the Tata Nexon EV and Tiago EV, the company continues to be one of the top EV manufacturers in India.
However, the sharp 11% drop in overall PV sales suggests that market sentiment may be slightly cooling off, possibly due to high interest rates, evolving preferences, or increasing competition from other brands.
Commercial Vehicles (CV): A Mixed Bag of Results
The commercial vehicle segment saw a smaller drop, with both gains and losses across categories.
- Total CV sales: 28,147 units (down 5% YoY from 29,691 units)
- Domestic CV sales: 25,872 units (down 9%)
- CV exports (CV IB): 2,275 units (up 87% from 1,215 units)
While domestic demand for CVs dropped, exports surged—a promising sign for Tata’s global footprint. The CV segment had some bright spots worth noting:
Segment-wise CV Breakdown:
- Intermediate & Light CV (ILMCV): 4,954 units (up 11%)
- Passenger Carrier CVs: 4,748 units (flat)
- Small CVs & Pickups: 9,064 units (down 20%)
- Heavy CVs (HCVs): 7,106 units (down 10%)
- Medium & Heavy CVs (MH&ICV): 13,614 units (up slightly from 13,532 units)
Tata Motors' performance in the ILMCV and MH&ICV categories shows resilience, especially in areas like construction, logistics, and public transport.
Conclusion
Tata Motors' sales for May 2025 are reported to be a million mixed results each way. Overall sales fell 9% which was propelled by a large decrease in domestic sales of passenger vehicles. However, there appears to be good demand for the sales for the export market of commercial vehicles and continued progress in electric vehicle sales, both of which showcase the company’s emphasis on innovation and sustainability.
Going forward, the company might want to take advantage of the accelerating EV trend and increase its commercial vehicle product line in foreign markets. To emerge stronger from a recovery situation, Tata Motors will likely have to rethink its domestic strategy, feature updated models, and utilize consumer-centric innovation to get back on track.
Also Read: May 2025 Car Sales: Mahindra, Kia & JSW MG See Strong Growth
