In a heartening development for OEMs, YoY car sales have registered positive growth in August 2020
This is significant for the auto industry, as car sales growth has been negative for several months. As may be recalled, the auto industry was experiencing a slowdown even before Covid-19 pandemic. Various factors such as growing preference for personal transport, increase in production, growing consumer confidence and fulfilment of pending orders have boosted car sales.
In August, sales have been buoyant across most car segments including the small hatchback segment. A total of 80,086 units were sold, which is YoY gain of 33.49%. Sales during the corresponding period last year was 69,995 units.
Maruti Suzuki leads
India’s largest carmaker, Maruti Suzuki continues to dominate the small hatchback segment. It has three cars in top 5 and six cars in top 10 list of bestselling hatchbacks in August 2020. Maruti Swift leads the pack with 14,869 units sold in August. YoY sales have improved by 19.49%, as compared to 12,444 units sold in August last year.
To boost revenues, Maruti had recently launched subscription based ownership plans for various cars including Swift. Subscription plans make things easier for users, as they do not have to worry about insurance, tax, registration and maintenance.
At number two is Maruti Alto with 14,397 units sold in August. YoY sales are up 42.22%, as compared to 10,123 units sold in August last year. Launched in 2000, Alto recently achieved the lifetime sales milestone of 40 lakh units. It also holds the record of being the top selling vehicle in India for 16 consecutive years. Alto is the preferred choice for first time car buyers.
Maruti WagonR takes the third spot with 13,770 units sold in August. YoY sales are up 20.77%, as compared to 11,402 units sold in August last year. WagonR is expected to get its siblings soon, which will include an all-electric WagonR and a 7-seater MPV. The above top three Maruti cars – Swift, Alto and WagonR are also featured in the list of top 10 bestselling cars in August.
Tiago makes impressive gains
| No | Small Hatch | Aug-20 | Aug-19 | Diff | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maruti Swift | 14,869 | 12,444 | 2,425 | 19.49 |
| 2 | Maruti Alto | 14,397 | 10,123 | 4,274 | 42.22 |
| 3 | Maruti WagonR | 13,770 | 11,402 | 2,368 | 20.77 |
| 4 | Hyundai i10 Grand | 10,190 | 9,403 | 787 | 8.37 |
| 5 | Tata Tiago | 5,743 | 3,037 | 2,706 | 89.10 |
| 6 | Maruti Celerio | 5,684 | 4,765 | 919 | 19.29 |
| 7 | Maruti S-Presso | 5,312 | – | – | – |
| 8 | Renault Kwid | 3,677 | 2,191 | 1,486 | 67.82 |
| 9 | Maruti Ignis | 3,262 | 1,322 | 1,940 | 146.75 |
| 10 | Hyundai Santro | 2,395 | 3,288 | -893 | -27.16 |
| 11 | Datsun redi-GO | 501 | 751 | -250 | -33.29 |
| 12 | Ford Figo | 186 | 895 | -709 | -79.22 |
| 13 | Datsun GO | 52 | 205 | -153 | -74.63 |
| 14 | Mahindra KUV100 | 48 | 169 | -121 | -71.60 |
| – | Total | 80,086 | 59,995 | 20,091 | 33.49 |
At number four is Hyundai Grand i10 with 10,190 units sold in August. YoY sales have improved by 8.37%, as compared to 9,403 units sold in August last year. Fifth in the list is Tata Tiago with 5,743 units sold in August. YoY sales have zoomed a whopping 89.10%, as compared to 3,037 units sold in August last year.
Other hatchbacks in the top 10 list include Maruti Celerio (5,684), Maruti S-Presso (5,312), Renault Kwid (3,677), Maruti Ignis (3,262), and Hyundai Santro (2,395). Of these, Kwid and Santro have negative YoY growth of -44.01% and -27.16%, respectively. Ignis is the best performer in percentage terms, as sales have more than doubled as compared to 1,322 units sold in August last year.
Other cars in the list such as Datsun redi-GO, Ford Figo, Datsun GO, and Mahindra KUV100 have registered negative YoY growth in August 2020.
Also read –
Top 10 Cars Aug 2020
Top 10 SUVs Aug 2020
