The SUV market in India is currently experiencing a surge in demand, and leading the pack in the race for the best-selling SUV in the financial year 2024 are popular models like the Nexon, Brezza, and Creta. The market has witnessed remarkable growth, with a staggering 20,61,075 utility vehicles sold in the first 10 months of FY2024 (April-January), showcasing an impressive 25 percent year-on-year increase.
Among the standout performers are eight models that have notched up over 1,00,000 units in sales each since April 2023. This elite group includes three models from Maruti Suzuki (Brezza, Ertiga, Fronx), two from Hyundai (Creta, Venue), two from Tata Motors (Nexon, Punch), and one from Mahindra (Scorpio). Together, these top eight models contribute to approximately 48 percent of the total 2 million UVs sold during this period.
The closely contested battle for the title of India's best-selling SUV in FY2024 involves three formidable contenders: Tata Nexon, Maruti Brezza, and Hyundai Creta. Each of these SUVs has impressively crossed the 1,30,000 units mark in sales, setting the stage for a nail-biting finish with two months remaining in FY2024.
As of January 2024, the Tata Nexon is leading the charge with an estimated 1,43,244 units sold. Hot on its heels is the Maruti Brezza with 1,39,518 units and the Hyundai Creta with 1,31,039 units. The Tata Nexon, which claimed the title of India's best-selling SUV in FY2022 and maintained its dominance through FY2023, continues to be a force to reckon with.
Since its launch in September 2017, the Tata Nexon has garnered immense popularity, surpassing 6,29,083 units sold. Notably, it became the first model in Tata Motors' lineup to achieve the milestone of over 6,00,000 units in the domestic market. The success of the Nexon is attributed to Tata Motors' innovative approach, offering 43 variants across petrol (20 variants), diesel (14 variants), and electric (nine variants), ensuring a Nexon for every budget. The recent unveiling of the Nexon iCNG at the Bharat Mobility Expo further expands its appeal.
The Maruti Brezza, once the reigning champion as India's best-selling SUV for four consecutive years (FY2017-FY2020), is eager to reclaim its crown. After relinquishing the title in FY2021 and ranking third in FY2022 and FY2023, the Brezza is currently positioned second in the wholesale rankings for the first 10 months of FY2024, with an estimated 1,39,518 units. The introduction of the Brezza CNG variant in March 2023 has proven instrumental in accelerating sales, helping the Brezza cross the one-million sales milestone in just eight months.
Hyundai's Creta, a stalwart in the midsize SUV segment, closely trails the Nexon and Brezza with 1,31,039 units sold in the first 10 months of FY2024. Despite a temporary dip in December 2023 due to the launch of the new Creta, the model has consistently demonstrated strong demand, contributing 44 percent to Hyundai's estimated UV sales last year.
The battle for the top SUV title in FY2024 is reaching a climax, and enthusiasts eagerly anticipate the final outcome with the completion of February and March 2024 wholesales. Adding an element of surprise to the competition is the Tata Punch, emerging as a challenger with its versatile power options, including petrol, CNG, and electric. Stay tuned for more updates in this thrilling SUV competition, where the stakes are high, and the contenders are vying for supremacy in the Indian automotive landscape.
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