In Delhi this week, they opened their annual show with many more downbeat about the Indian market than would have been expected a year ago. Granted, the Indian market is a massive potential, but an enormous population is not sufficient to guarantee the success of the home market. In fact, last year’s figures have shown a fall in sales for the first time in ten years, with sales of the Tata Nano
flattening out for the first time also
flattening out for the first time alsoAlthough expected to be the third largest market after the US and China, India actually seems to be slowing having peaked last year. India’s manufacturers appear to be concentrating on overseas labels that they own, such as Jaguar and Landrover
By contrast, car manufacturing in Europe are having a good time, with suppressed demand from countries with financial issues finally beginning to come on stream. In Greece, car sales grew by nearly 16% over January 2013, in Portugal, new car sales are up 32% on last January. Not surprisingly, as its economy was handled well and is growing, Ireland new car sales grew 33% over January 2013
Sales growth follows a consistent pattern and always has done large discount prompt increase sales which reduces holding costs for manufacturers and increases their own buying power. Now with a reduced cost per unit, they also reduce the huge discounts on the back of demand and claw back the money that they had to use to get the market going again
Undoubtedly, large growth, naturally and through the inherent savings of running costs, low emission/high economy vehicle sales are beginning to reflect the growth in the US. With BMW eventually stunning the market with the fabulous i3 and its Range Extender sibling, it is an area that has got really serious, Eco cars has at last started to happen. Already we are seeing Eco leasing choices such as the i3, hybrids from Toyota and Honda with another option in the form of the 
Chevrolet Volt / Vauxhall Ampera
Regular EU markets are also up, UK, Spain & Germany all up over 7% account for growths in European production on their own, before the double digit growths of the many other countries. In particular, the VW group did well with the new Golf selling better than ever and Skoda increasing market share. For the first time in a few years, French manufacturers Peugeot and Renault have increased sales
