Manufacturers such as Maruti, Tata and Hyundai lead this segment with the Brezza, Nexon and Venue commanding the most attention
Car buyers in India are showing more preference to sub 4 meter SUV crossovers in view of the many advantages it offers, over not only hatchback and sedans, but even larger vehicles. Automakers are also paying more attention to this segment, especially in terms of technical updates and safety equipment. Its demand can be assessed in the fact that SUV and crossover sales in total passenger vehicle sales in the country which was at around 8 percent in 2011 increased to approximately 42 percent in 2022.
Sub 4-meter SUV Sales March 2023
Total sales in this segment stood at 59,656 units in March 2023. This was a 7 percent growth from 55,753 units sold in March 2022 relating to a 3,903 unit volume growth. Maruti Suzuki Brezza was the highest selling model in this segment with 16,227 units sold in the past month, up 30.45 percent from 12,439 units sold in March 2022. It commands a 27.30 percent share in the top 10 list.
At No. 2 was Tata Nexon with 14,769 units sold last month, up 3.17 percent when compared to 14,315 units sold in March 2022. This is the 2nd consecutive month where Nexon has lost to Brezza. Before that, it was Nexon which was No 1. Nexon sales include that of petrol, diesel as well as EV variants. To boost sales, Tata is getting ready to launch the Nexon facelift in a few months.
Hyundai Venue also posted a 8.72 percent YoY growth in sales to 10,024 units in the past month from 9,220 units sold in March 2022 to command a share of 16.80 percent on this list. Lower down the list at No. 4 was the Kia Sonet sub 4-meter SUV with 8,677 units sold in the past month, up 26.28 percent over 6,871 units sold in March 2022. 2024 Kia Sonet Facelift has also been spied on test and is likely to launch later this year.
There was also the Mahindra XUV300 (5,128 units) and Nissan Magnite (3,260 units) on this list with 23.86 percent and 10.81 percent YoY growth respectively. Renault Kiger and Honda WR-V have seen YoY degrowth in sales. Kiger sales dipped 37.18 percent to 1,568 units in March 2023 from 2,496 units sold in March 2022. Honda WR-V sales were down to 3 units last month on account of the said model being discontinued from the company portfolio.
Sub 4-meter SUV Sales March 2023 vs Feb 2023 – MoM Analysis
MoM sales of sub 4-meter SUVs improved by 4.06 percent in March 2023. Sales had stood at 57,329 units in Feb 2023 growing to 59,656 units in the past month. This was a 2,327 unit volume growth. Maruti Suzuki Brezza sales improved 2.79 percent MoM from 15,787 units sold in Feb 2023 while that of Nexon increased by 6.14 percent from 13,914 units sold in Feb 2023 to 14,769 units in the past month.
A marginal sales growth of 0.27 percent was seen for the Venue from 9,997 units sold in Feb 2023 while Kia Sonet sales dipped 11.78 percent MoM to 8,677 units in March 2023 from 9,836 units sold in Feb 2023. There was also the XUV300 with a 34.63 percent MoM growth over 3,809 units sold in Feb 2023. Nissan Magnite also saw its MoM sales improve by 49.27 percent to 3,260 units in the past month from 2,184 units sold in Feb 2023. Renault Kiger sales dipped 12.99 percent MoM to 1,568 units from 1,802 units sold in Feb 2023 while there were 3 units sold of the new Urban Cruiser.
