The Indian mid-size SUV market grew by 28.6 percent this April. Total sales reached 1,13,850 units across the country. Hyundai Creta kept its crown as the number one model despite a small drop in numbers. People in India are clearly leaving behind small cars to buy these bigger vehicles. It is a very big shift in how we travel today.
This sales report is quite a big deal. Honestly, I find it amazing that so many people are buying expensive SUVs now. You might be wondering why everyone wants a Creta even after so many years. Basically, it offers a great mix of features and a very high resale value. I know a friend who sold his three year old Creta for almost the same price he paid. That kind of trust is very hard to build in the car market.
Mahindra Stays Strong With Many Models
In fact, Mahindra is the elder brother of the SUV universe in India. They have models for every kind of person. Second on the list is Mahindra Scorpio with 14,719 units sold in a month. Sales did drop a little compared to last year though, it is still the top choice for tough terrain.
Maruti Suzuki finds a new winner
Look, Maruti Suzuki is not just making small hatchbacks anymore. Their new model, the Victoris, has created a real stir by taking the third spot. It sold 13,701 units in April, which is a huge number for a new car. Their other model, the Grand Vitara, also grew by nearly 8 percent. It seems Maruti is finally giving Hyundai a very tough fight in this segment.
Huge Growth for Kia and Toyota
Kia had a great month as the Seltos sales grew by a massive 72.2 percent. They sold 10,566 units this time compared to around 6,000 last year. Toyota also has a reason to celebrate because the Hyryder is a hit. Its sales almost doubled because of its hybrid engine. Since petrol prices are so high, many Indian families want a car that gives high mileage. A hybrid SUV that gives 25 kmpl is a dream for any middle class home.
Mixed Results for Tata and Electric Cars
Tata Motors saw very different results for its cars. The Tata Harrier grew by over 150 percent, which is the highest jump in the whole list. However, the newer Tata Curvv saw its sales fall by half. It seems some models are still struggling to find fans. Even in the electric car space, the numbers are up and down. The Mahindra BE 6 grew fast but the XEV 9e saw a 34 percent drop. It shows that while regular petrol and diesel SUVs are booming, electric ones are still finding their way.
I feel that this trend will only grow stronger in the coming months. If you are planning to buy a car, an SUV seems to be what everyone else is choosing. We will keep an eye on these numbers as the monsoon season starts.
