The past financial year, April 2018 to March 2019, proved difficult with most automakers experiencing lower sales especially where premium SUVs were concerned. Most premium SUVs in India are offered exclusively with diesel engine options. It is only the Toyota Fortuner, Hyundai Tucson, Honda CR-V and Mitsubishi Outlander that are offered with petrol and diesel engine options. These premium SUVs noted more demand for diesel variants over their petrol counterparts.
Ford Endeavour, Skoda Kodiaq, Mahindra Alturas, VW Tiguan, Isuzu MU-X and Mitsubishi Pajero are only offered with diesel engines. Total sales in this segment stood at 35,002 units out of which 33,883 units sold were diesel variants while only 1,119 units sold were petrol variants resulting in a 97 percent demand for diesel variants.
Toyota Fortuner controls the market share in this segment and topped the list of best selling premium SUVs in FY19. Total sales which stood at 21,414 units saw 20,948 diesel variants sold as against just 193 petrol variants. The Ford Endeavour commanded a second spot on the list with 5,829 units sold along with the Skoda Kodiaq at No. 3 with 2,038 units sold.
Hyundai Tucson offered in petrol and diesel variants saw 1,538 units sold in the period under assessment. 67 percent buyers opted for diesel variants as against 33 percent who preferred petrol variants. Sales of this premium SUV hence saw 1,038 diesel variants sold as against 500 petrol variants. All diesel variants Mahindra Alturas, VW Tiguan and Isuzu MU-X sales stood at 1,428 units, 1,054 units and 886 units respectively.
Honda CR-V sales which was at a total of 848 units saw 452 diesel variants sold as against 396 units of petrol variants. Honda CR-V gets its power via a 1.6 liter, 4 cylinder diesel engine offering 120 PS power and 300 Nm torque. The 2.0 liter petrol engine is capable of 155 PS power and 190 Nm torque while Honda CR-V Hybrid may be launched in India in the next two years.
Mitsubishi Pajero and Outlander stood at Nos. 9 and 10 respectively with 210 units of the Pajero sold. Outlander premium SUV which is powered exclusively by a 2.4 liter petrol engine saw sales of 30 units during FY19.
Once BS VI emission standards come into effect, prices of cars could go up by 5-7 percent in 2020-21 which will have an even greater impact on diesel variants as against petrol variants.