Last month, we witnessed a downward trend in the popularity of C-segment sedan sales, while the sub-4-metre SUV market saw a strong growth of 38%
India has been an SUV-centric market of late. The same is reflected in the sales figures posted by the SUVs and similarly priced models every month. For instance, last month, the compact SUV segment posted a sales growth of decent 38%, while the C-segment sedans had a sales decline of 35%.
Last month turned out to be a particularly good period for the sales of the compact SUVs. Fuelled by the introduction of new models such as the Mahindra XUV300 and the Hyundai Venue, the sub-4-metre compact SUV segment has been finding a lot of new car buyers every month.
Last month, the Hyundai Venue managed to post a sales figure of 8,763 units, which was only a bit less than the 8,871 units sold by the Maruti Vitara Brezza in the same period of time. Even the Mahindra XUV300, which found 4,769 buyers last month, could easily outsell the Ford EcoSport and the Tata Nexon.
Model | June 2019 (+/-%) | June 2018 |
Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza | 8,871 (-17%) | 10,713 |
Hyundai Venue | 8,763 | NA |
Mahindra XUV 300 | 4,769 | NA |
Tata Nexon | 4,170 (1%) | 4,148 |
Ford Ecosport | 3,254 (-19%) | 4,007 |
Honda WR-V | 1,268 (-54%) | 2,783 |
Total | 32,305 (38%) | 23,462 |
In comparison, the C-segment sedan sales saw quite a lull, with none of the vehicles managing to help this section of the market post a positive growth figure. For instance, the Honda City, which was the highest selling car in the C2-segment, could find 2,461 buyers, a 37% drop from the 3,882 units sold in the same month last year.
The second slot was taken by the Maruti Ciaz, which took the second slot on the sales chart with a total figure of 2,322 units, a 47 per cent increase compared to the same period last month. However, it may be noted that the positive growth is due to the fact that the sales of the Ciaz took a plunge around June 2018 due to the fast-approaching arrival of the facelift.
Sedan 2019 Sales | June 2019 | June 2018 |
Honda City | 2,461 (-37%) | 3,882 |
Maruti Suzuki Ciaz | 2,322 (47%) | 1,579 |
Hyundai Verna | 2,271 (-42%) | 3,901 |
Skoda Rapid | 612 (-29%) | 868 |
VW Vento | 449 (-20%) | 559 |
Toyota Yaris | 121 (-94%) | 1,919 |
Fiat Linea | 52 (643%) | 7 |
Total | 8,352 (-35%) | 12,855 |
Finally, the third slot in the C2-segment sedan sales was taken buy the Hyundai Verna, which sold 2,271 units, a clear 42 per cent drop from the 3,901 units sold in June 2018. From all this, it’s clear that the compact SUVs would rule the roost for some more time to come, while the C-segment sedan sales need a serious shot in the arm to get the better of the sub-4-metre SUVs.
Data Source: Autopunditz