Tata Motors on Friday said it will increase prices of its passenger vehicles by an average of 1.8 per cent depending upon the model and variant from May 8, to partially offset the rise in input costs.

The auto major noted that it would offer protection from the price increase to customers who have booked vehicles on or before May 7.

"Increase in prices of commodities, such as steel and precious metals, necessitates us to pass on a part of it through an increase in the price of our products," Tata Motors President Passenger Vehicles Business Shailesh Chandra said.

Keeping in mind the interest of customers who have booked cars already, the automaker which sells models like Safari, Harrier, and Nexon, is offering price protection for all bookings done till May 7, he added.

The price hike on the model range would be effective for bookings made thereafter (May 8), Chandra noted.

Tata Motors sells a range of vehicles starting from entry hatchback Tiago to the newly introduced Safari SUV, priced between Rs 4.85 to Rs 21.4 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).

For the well-being of its business and supporting ecosystem, the company had recently announced that it has set in motion a comprehensive 'Business Agility Plan' to protect and serve the interests of its customers, dealers, and suppliers.