Launch of the new Creta has helped Hyundai India become No 1 selling SUV brand in the country
At a time when coronavirus pandemic appears close to creating a global economic meltdown, Hyundai India has emerged as the top UV manufacturer in the country in March 2020. Hyundai’s UV portfolio comprises Creta, Venue, Tucson and Kona Electric.
While the latter two are not volume generators, combined sales of Creta and Venue stood at 12,833 units in March 2020. Hyundai’s overall sales in March 2020 were 26,300 units, which translates into YoY loss of -40.70%. Excluding new entrants Kia and MG, all other carmakers have registered negative YoY growth in March 2020.
Hyundai Creta has remained a bestseller for quite a long time and second-gen Creta continues to build upon its impressive legacy. Launched recently, all-new Hyundai Creta has registered sales of 6,706 units in March 2020. In the monthly charts, Creta was ranked at sixth place, comfortably ahead of rivals Tata Harrier, MG Hector, and Mahindra XUV500, among others.
| No | Brand | UVs | Mar-20 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hyundai | Creta, Venue | 12,833 |
| 2 | Maruti | Brezza, Ertiga, XL6, S-Cross, Gypsy | 11,904 |
| 3 | Kia | Seltos + Carnival | 8583 |
| 4 | Tata | Nexon, Harrier | 3,278 |
| 5 | Mahindra | XUV, TUV, Scorpio, Bolero, Alturas, Xylo, Marazzo | 3,079 |
| – | Total | – | 39,677 |
Hyundai is also having a good run with Venue, which was launched in May 2019. Packing a range of segment-first and best-in-class features as well as a multitude of internet connected smart features, Venue has emerged as a popular choice in the country. With sales of 6,127 units in March 2020, Venue was ranked at number 7 in monthly sales chart.
At number two in the UV space in March 2020 is Maruti Suzuki with sales of 11,904 units. Maruti’s UV portfolio comprises Brezza, Ertiga, XL6 and Maruti Gypsy. Maruti’s overall sales stood at 76,240 units, which is YoY loss of -47.43%, as against 1,45,031 units sold in March 2019. This is one of those rare occasions when Maruti’s monthly sales have dropped below one lakh units.
Kia comes in at number three in UV segment, with Seltos and Carnival registering combined sales of 8,583 units in March 2020. Of these, Seltos sold a total of 7,466 units. Launched in August last year, Seltos is currently the top selling SUV in the country. In monthly charts, Seltos was ranked at fifth spot.
Tata takes the 4th spot, with only Nexon and Harrier as UVs on offer in the company line-up. Safari Storme, Hexa as well as Sumo has been discontinued. The company next plans to launch a small SUV, which was showcased as HBX Concept at the 2020 Auto Expo. Tata SUV sales stood at 3,278 units.
At number five is Mahindra with sales of 3,047 units in March 2020. Mahindra’s UV portfolio comprises Mahindra XUV, TUV, Marazzo and Bolero. Mahindra used to lead in the UV space, but just like other carmakers, it has also registered significant drop in sales in March 2020. Total sales were 3,383 units in March 2020, which translates into YoY loss of a staggering -87.76%. Mahindra was at number eighth in the list of top carmakers in March.
April is expected to be even worse for carmakers due to the on-going lockdown. Moreover, there are now talks that the lockdown period could be extended for coronavirus hotspots in the country. Many of the big cities have emerged as coronavirus hotspots, so car sales could take a hit if lockdown is extended.
