For the first time in over thirteen months — a period of economic decline and the global credit crisis — all major commercial vehicle (CV) manufacturers have recorded booming sales growths across sectors signaling that the economy is back up and running. Sales have grown by about the same percentage in October as they had declined in the same month in 2008, bringing the industry back on track after a tumultuous year.

In October 2008, segment leaders Tata Motors’ total CV sales had declined by 29 per cent having sold 19,154 units. This October, having sold 30,541 units, sales have grown 59.45 per cent over last year, their highest growth in over 14 months. LCV sales were up by 57.40 per cent the company having sold 18,625 units in October 2009 against 11,833 units during the same period last year. After a brief slip back into the red, MHCV sales have rebounded this October. The company sold 11,916 units where 7,321 units were sold in October of last year giving them a 62.76 per cent growth in the sector.

What signals a change for the better is that even smaller players like Ashok Leyland did not have to rely on CV sales that have been doing well since the beginning of last quarter to cut a growth deficit. MHCV sales grew 64.55 per cent for the first time in over a year.

With their small base, though LCV sales have been growing steadily since September 2009, they have never been able to make an impact on the total growth of the company. This October, with 83 units sold, the company has registered a growth of 196.43 per cent as only 28 units were sold in October 2008.