With rising demand seen for SUVs and larger vehicles, sedans remained in the red in March 2023 both in terms of YoY and MoM sales
While sub 4-meter SUV sales grew by 7 percent in March 2023 and mid-size SUVs grew by 14.58 percent YoY, sedan sales saw dismal performance in the past month. Sedan sales dipped 12.49 percent YoY to 34,291 units in March 2023. This was against 39,183 units sold in March 2022. MoM sales performance was no better. Sales fell by 3.10 percent over 35,387 units sold in Feb 2023.
Maruti Suzuki DZire was the best-selling sedan in the country last month despite a YoY and MoM decline. Sales fell to 13,394 units, down 28.08 percent as against 18,623 units sold in March 2022. It was also a 20.26 percent de-growth from 16,798 units sold in Feb 2023. Market share dipped from 47.47 percent to 39.06 percent MoM. The DZire is priced between Rs 6.5 lakh to Rs 9.38 lakh and is in a similar price league as the Aura and Tigor. It was the only sedan to cross 10,000 unit sales last month.
Sedan Sales March 2023 – Dzire, Amaze, Aura in Top 3
Honda Amaze sales at No. 2 saw a YoY growth but MoM de-growth to 3,996 units, up 33.73 percent from 2,988 units sold in March 2022. MoM sales fell by 3.08 percent from 4,123 units sold in Feb 2023. The Amaze falls within a price range of 7.01 lakh to 9.62 lakh following a recent price hike.
Hyundai Aura at Rs 6.32-8.9 lakh and Tata Tigor Rs6.19-8.9 lakh, fall within the same price range. Sales however, have been in the negative for both these models. Aura sales fell 32.49 percent YoY and 31.68 percent MoM to 3,774 units last month. Tata Tigor also suffered a 32.49 percent YoY and 11.72 percent MoM de-growth to 2,705 units in March 2023.
Hyundai Verna at No. 4 is priced in a higher bracket of Rs 10.9-17.38 lakh. Its sales have increased significantly to 3,775 units in the past month from 1,586 units sold in March 2022 while MoM sales were higher by 7931.91 percent over just 47 units sold in Feb 2023. Sales growth is credited to the launch of new gen Verna.
Honda City sedan sales fell 16.50 percent YoY to 2,693 units in March 2023 from 3,225 units sold in March 2022 while MoM sales improved by 37.19 percent over 1,963 units sold in Feb 2023 relating to a 730 unit volume growth. The City sedan is priced from Rs 11.52-20.42 lakh (ex-showroom).
New Gen Verna beats rivals City, Ciaz, Virtus, Slavia – March 2023 Sales
VW Virtus at No. 7 had 1,792 units sold in the past month to command a 5.23 percent market share. Its sales in Feb 2023 had been at 1,563 units relating to a 14.65 percent MoM growth. Volkswagen recently hiked prices of the Taigun and Virtus due to the fact that these two models have been upgraded to BS6 Phase 2 norms. The Virtus is now priced at Rs 11.48-18.57 lakh.
Lower down the order was the Slavia (1,574 units), Ciaz (300 units), Superb (104 units) and Camry (98 units), each of which have posted YoY de-growth. However, it was only the Ciaz that also saw sales dip on a MoM basis with all others showing off more positive sales. There was the Skoda Octavia at the bottom of sedan sales charts with 86 units sold last month. This was a 52.22 percent YoY de-growth from 180 units sold in March 2022 while MoM sales improved by 4.88 percent over 82 units sold in Feb 2023. Octavia sales decline is due to the fact that it has been discontinued in India.
