For three consecutive years, Tata Motors has held the position of manufacturing India’s best-selling SUV with Nexon. With Tata Punch in 2nd position in SUV sales. However, Maruti Suzuki held the crown for being the maker of India’s highest-selling car (of any genre) for the past 40 years since 1985!
Tata Punch Is India’s Highest-Selling Car In CY2024
For the first time, Tata Motors has ended Maruti Suzuki’s 40-year reign as the maker of India’s highest-selling car in calendar year 2024 with Punch. With over 2,02,025 units sold, Tata Punch emerged as India’s highest-selling car (of any genre), sidelining WagonR, Ertiga, Brezza and Creta, while previous rockstars like Swift and Alto were not in the top five.
With Punch, Tata Motors democratised the formula of rugged-looking high-riding vehicles with commendable cabin space. Tata Motors made 5-Star crash safety available to the masses at affordable prices. The company has continually updated Punch with new features and creature comforts to compete at the highest level.
Indian car buyers have responded to Tata Motors’ efforts and made Punch the country’s best-selling car (of any genre) in calendar year 2024. This also makes Punch India’s best-selling SUV in calendar year 2024, sidelining its bigger sibling, Nexon, which held that position for three consecutive years.
In CY2024, Tata Punch sold 2,02,025 units and climbed to the top, while Maruti Suzuki’s WagonR and Ertiga bagged 2nd and 3rd positions with 1,90,855 and 1,90,101 units respectively. In 4th place, we had Maruti Suzuki Brezza with 1,88,160 units sold and in 5th place, we have Hyundai Creta with 1,86,919 units sold.
Maruti Market Share Declines
It is an astonishing fact that Maruti Suzuki held the crown of the manufacturer of India’s highest-selling car (of any genre) for 40 years since 1985. Tata Punch breaking this 40-year streak is an indication of a shift in customer preferences and evolving buyer trends. Showing that more buyers are preferring premium vehicles today, than ever before.
In the pre-pandemic glory year of 2018 with 33.49 lakh cars sold, Maruti Suzuki held a 52% market share. In the post-pandemic era, 2024 sales peaked at 42.86 lakh car sales, but Maruti Suzuki’s market share has been reduced to 41%. Since 1985, Maruti Suzuki held the position of making India’s highest-selling car with offerings like Maruti 800, Alto, Dzire, Swift and WagonR.
Also, Maruti Suzuki used to populate India’s top-5 highest-selling cars, which in 2024, has been reduced to 3 / 5 vehicles. Lack of more premium offerings above Rs 10 lakh mark and a proper contender for Tata Punch might be reasons for Maruti’s loss in market share among the best-sellers.
H1 vs. H2 Performance
The data indicates that H1 was a stronger half for Tata Punch, with 1,10,302 units, compared to H2’s 91,723 units. On the other hand, Maruti Ertiga outperformed in H2 with 1,01,713 units, while Hyundai Creta also showed a stronger finish in the latter half with 95,571 units.
The 2024 sales data highlights a clear preference for practicality, affordability, and advanced features among Indian car buyers. Tata Punch’s dominance across segments, Wagon R’s consistency, Ertiga’s family appeal, Brezza’s urban charm, and Creta’s premium positioning reflect a diverse and evolving market. As automakers gear up for 2025, it will be interesting to see how the competition unfolds, especially with the growing focus on electric and hybrid options.
