For the first time since the launch of new gen Ertiga back in Nov 2018, sales of the MPV have gone below the 5k mark in a single month.
Maruti Ertiga, a one of a kind MPV from the manufacturer has been on sale since December 2012. It was showcased for the first time at Auto Expo 2012. Back in Nov 2018, MSIL has introduced 2nd gen Ertiga, and it was an instant hit. From registering average sales of 4k units, sales jumped to 8k units. This larger, and sportier looking new Ertiga has managed to stay in demand throughout the slowdown.
Seeing success of new Ertiga, Maruti launched XL6, a more premium variant of Ertiga. The idea behind XL6 is single focused – a MPV that seats 6 with captain seats instead of second row bench seats seen in Ertiga. Sales of this one were good enough, averaging about 3.5k units per month. But in Jan 2020, sales of both Ertiga as well as XL6 have declined to their lowest.
| No | Month | Ertiga Sales | XL6 Sales | Ertiga + XL6 | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oct-18 | 1,387 | – | 1,387 | Old Ertiga |
| 2 | Nov-18 | 6,362 | – | 6,362 | New Ertiga Launch |
| 3 | Dec-18 | 7,155 | – | 7,155 | – |
| 4 | Jan-19 | 6,352 | – | 6,352 | – |
| 5 | Feb-19 | 7,975 | – | 7,975 | 25k sales |
| 6 | Mar-19 | 8,955 | – | 8,955 | – |
| 7 | Apr-19 | 8,087 | – | 8,087 | – |
| 8 | May-19 | 8,864 | – | 8,864 | 50k sales |
| 9 | Jun-19 | 7,567 | – | 7,567 | – |
| 10 | Jul-19 | 9,222 | – | 9,222 | BS6 launch |
| 11 | Aug-19 | 8,391 | 2,356 | 10,747 | XL6 launch |
| 12 | Sep-19 | 6,284 | 3,840 | 10,124 | – |
| 13 | Oct-19 | 7,197 | 4,328 | 11,525 | – |
| 14 | Nov-19 | 7,537 | 2,195 | 9,732 | – |
| 15 | Dec-19 | 6,650 | 2,521 | 9,171 | 1 lakh sales |
| 16 | Jan-20 | 4,997 | 770 | 5,767 | Lowest Sales |
| – | Total | 1,11,595 | 16,010 | 1,27,605 | – |
In July 2019, MSIL launched its Ertiga BS6 range, well in time before the mandated timeline of April 1, 2020. In fact, that month 9,222 Ertiga units were sold, the highest in the last 16 months. Until October 2019, the combination of a new Ertiga, the BSVI update, and launch of XL6 aided the vehicle’s sales trajectory and a lakh vehicles were sold in a year’s time. 6 months later, the positivity has vanished into thin air. In January 2020, 4,997 Ertiga units were sold. Add to this 770 units of XL6, and sales amount to 5,767. Cumulative (Ertiga and XL6) sales is lower than the 6,352 units sold in January 2019.
Maruti Ertiga sales appears to be increasingly onerous. XL6, which has been on sales for 6 months has averaged monthly sales of 2,668 units. The highest being 4,3,28 units in October 2019, and the lowest last month, at 770 units. Between the launch of the BSVI Ertiga and July, and XL6 in August, MSIL has managed to post higher combined sales but January 2020 sales bucked. And how. In the last 15 months, Ertiga sales averaged about 7,350 units a month. In the last 3 months, sales has dipped below 10k units a month. Nevertheless, sales in monthly sales through H2 2019 has been higher than through H1 2019.
While most processes are affected owing to the combined reality of sales slowdown, and BSVI transition, considering MSIL has been at the top of its game in regards to BSVI transition, it’s market slowdown that’s affecting the manufacturer’s sales.
XL6 presented as a premium offering faces competition from segment leader Innova Crysta. When it comes to premium MPVs, requirements are specific and not up for negotiation. These people carriers enjoy preference, and while Ertiga and XL6 sales dominate sales, bigger MPVs too are able to hold their own. The wide segment has gotten even bigger with the newly launched Kia Carnival. As it stands, there’s now an MPV for every need.
