Car ownership is on the rise in India

Tata said it sold nearly 25,000 vehicles, up by 58% on the same period last year.

Sales of trucks and buses were up 71% on the year, while passenger car sales rose 51%, helped by strong demand for Tata's mid-sized Indigo model.

The figures confirm a growing trend towards car ownership in India, where a booming economy has lifted incomes.

Low interest rates have also helped to bring cars within the reach of growing numbers of Indian consumers.

Total sales of Indian-made vehicles - including exports - breached the 1 million mark for the first time during the year to late March, according to recent figures.

Tata Motors, which last year struck a deal to produce British car firm MG Rover's small City model, ranks as India's largest independent vehicle maker.

Although there are some 13 car manufacturers in India, most of these are subsidiaries of global giants such as Hyundai and Ford.