Statewise data on vehicle population and assessment of territory potential; Maruti Udyog Limited, Calcuta

Abstract

The automobile market for passenger cars and 4 wheeled drives saw a rapid expansion in the 80s. The production of cars showed an increase of 471% (from 31275 in 1980-81 to 176668 in 1990-91 >}. 44Ds production also showed an increase of 175% over the same ¢ period from 15667 in 1980-81 to 43196 in 1990-91 ). The recession in the economy in 1991-92 saw a decline in the vehicle production in these two categories. But with the revival in the economy vehicle production has also looked up since 1992-93 and is showing promises of rapid growth in the near future. Though the total domestic sales of passenger ears crossed the 190600 mark in 1993-94, the eastern region’s share in total sales has been a mere 6.4% (18000 odd cars ). This in spite of the fact that the eastern region accounts for slightly over 25% of the total population. One important factor for the low share of the vehicles market could be the low industrial activity in the eastern region ( this region accounted for only 15.7% of total industrial output of India in 1993-94 ). Moreover the lower proportion of urban population (only 17.5% as compared to the all India figure of 26%) is also responsible for the low sale of motor cars in the eastern region.