2011 surfaced as a sorry year for the Indian auto industry and forced a number of car makers to bow down. The sales of cars witnessed serious pressure, due to labour disputes, production hindrances, high interest rates, frequently revised fuel prices and exorbitant purchase costs during the year 2011.
However, silver linings too were a part of this year that saw the entrance of some futuristic and technology-driven models including Hyundai's 800cc Eon. Specifically for Tata Motors, the journey through 2011 was a rollercoaster ride. Serious grudges with the West Bengal government were among the primary happenings for the home grown car maker.
Indian car sales were in the line of fire with anti-trends like continuously depreciating rupee stalking the performance of car companies all the time. Reserve Bank of India was compelled to policies that eventually led to a sudden hike in the interest rates on car loans, further affecting sales.
Like Maruti, General Motors, too, was at the receiving end owing to labour unrests gripping its production process. The detrimental earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan caused destruction to the plants of several car makers such as Maruti Suzuki, Toyota and Honda.
Now, car makers are ready to put behind the not-so-good memories of 2011 and look forward to make the 2012 as productive as possible and recuperate from the dismal performance.
