Maruti Baleno drives into Top 10, Alto regains top spot in November

Despite a dip in momentum from October 2015, passenger car sales in India continued to witness double-digit growth in November even as other segments in the Indian vehicle industry saw muted growth. Benign fuel prices and festive season discounts along with fresh launches fueled demand for passenger cars as their dispatches grew by 10.39 percent year on year.

The premium Maruti Baleno hatchback became the carmaker’s latest entrant in the Top 10 sales list in November with sales of 9,074 units. Sold through the premium Nexa dealership channel, Maruti Suzuki had launched the Baleno on October 26, starting at a competitive price of Rs 499,000 (ex-showroom Delhi).

Once again the Top 10 list is populated by Maruti Suzuki with six of its cars including the Baleno. The Alto regained the top-seller spot in November after it overtook the Dzire sedan with sales of 21,995 units. The Dzire with sales of 15,463 units took the number two spot. The Wagon R, Swift and Celerio hatchbacks also feature in the list with 13,986 units, 11,859 units and 6,956 units respectively. This continued performance by Maruti is a pointer to the fact that the company enjoys an overwhelming 52.7 percent market share in passenger cars.

Hyundai Motor India with its Grand i10 and Elite i20 hatchbacks captured the fourth and sixth spots on the list. The Elite i20 maintained its reputation as the most sold premium hatchback in the country, despite tough competition from the Baleno, with sales of 10,074 units. Hyundai’s strategy of providing handsome discounts and exchange offers benefited the Grand i10, which overtook the Swift with sales of 12,899 units. Another surprise entrant was Hyundai’s entry level hatchback Eon, which took the eighth spot with sales of 7,154 units.

The City regained its spot in the list as Honda’s most sold car in the country with 6,342 units. The sedan beat its siblings Amaze and Jazz to capture the last spot in the list.

With 13 days to go for the year to close, manufacturers are offering handsome discounts but are consumers biting? It is a well-known fact that a good number of vehicle buyers tend to delay purchase decisions so that they own a vehicle registered in the new year. Therefore, it wouldn't surprise us if we see a tepid growth performance in sales in December. However, the Delhi-NCR diesel ban which kicks in from January 1 to March 31, 2016, could see car buyers in that region making a dash for sales this month. Stay tuned for more. 

Also read:

- India Sales Analysis - November '15

- Top 10 Two-Wheelers in November '15

- Top 10 Scooters in November '15