Hyundai Santro made a comeback last year but has failed to dethrone the segment leader Maruti Suzuki Wagon R
The hatchback segment is single handedly the largest contributor to automotive sales in India, with almost 50 percent share in the passenger car market. Small size and affordable price is what makes the hatchbacks so high selling here.
However, the past few years have impacted the sales of the hatchbacks hard, especially the affordable compact hatchback segment, which has seen a fierce rivalry of Maruti Suzuki Wagon R and Hyundai Santro for years now.
While Wagon R has been the segment leader for the past 20 years, Hyundai discontinued the Santro for a few years only to relaunch again in an all-new avatar. However, this time around, Hyundai Santro couldn’t keep it up to the Maruti Suzuki Wagon R.
To lure the customers, Hyundai dealers are offering the Santro hatchback with hefty discounts ahead of the festive season. Hyundai Santro gets benefits of up to Rs 70,000 (including Rs. 30,000 cash & Rs. 30,000 exchange bonus), along with free extended warranty cover for the fourth year and roadside assistance. Hyundai currently offers the Santro with a 3-year/1 lakh kilometre warranty along with a 3-year roadside assistance package as standard. While its arch-rival ‘Maruti Wagon R’ available on Rs. 20,000 Exchange bonus but no cash discount available.
The Hyundai Santro has failed to capitalize the famed Santro moniker and the South Korean brand sold only 3,288 units in August 2019, which is barely one-fourth the sales of Wagon R.
Since the car was introduced this year, there’s no Y-o-Y data. However, when compared to July 2019, there’s a 38 percent dip, as Hyundai sold 5,309 units then. Maruti Suzuki, India’s largest car manufacturer sold 11,402 units of Wagon R in August 2019, that was launched in an all-new generation last year.
With the Maruti Suzuki S-Presso and Tata Tiago facelift due for launch, Hyundai Santro might face more challenge in the coming days and the discounts are being offered to counter the increasing competition. Hyundai Santro gets a 1.1-litre petrol motor making 69hp output. The same engine with CNG kit offers 59hp. Gearbox options include a 5-speed manual as standard and a 5-speed AMT gearbox.