In what is easily the most exciting vehicle segment on four wheels, the numbers are looking even more exciting with every passing month.

In November, 77,824 utility vehicles were bought all across India, helping industry register handsome 44.65 percent year-on-year growth, and boasting a sizeable 28.25 percent share of the total PV sales, which stood at 275,417 units. Even if you apply the economist’s logic of a demonetisation-hit, low-base, November 2016 sales still look good.

Take the April-November total UV sales of 597,157 units (+19.95%) and they account for 27.31 percent of the total 2,186,199 PVs sold in the eight-month period. Delve a little deeper in the UV numbers and you find out that each day of November saw 2,594 units being sold; the April-November period which saw sales of 2,447 units for each of the 244 days.

Maruti’s Vitara Brezza continues to shine in the UV best-sellers’ list  UVs and sold 14,458 units, registering solid growth of 48.76 percent (November 2016: 9,719). The compact SUV has been driving Maruti’s share of the UV pie, which now stands at 29.64 percent, where out of a total of 23,072 units sold including its Vitara Brezza, Gypsy, Ertiga and the S-Cross, it contributed over 62 percent to the cumulative UV numbers.

At No. 2, the Hyundai Creta, again maintains its position with sales of 8,528 units, growing 25 percent (November 2016: 6,822). The Creta has cumulatively sold 71,808 units between April-November 2017 but might now see the competition heating up with the recent introduction of the Renault Captur.

At No. 3 is the Toyota Innova Crysta, which sold 6,673 units, growing a remarkable 35.24 percent (November 2016: 4,934). The UV, which continues to be an immensely popular people-mover in the country, now also offers a premium cabin ambience, as well as the convenience of an automatic transmission in its powertrain options.

At No. 4 is the comeback of the compact SUV segment pioneer, the Ford EcoSport, which got an update in November itself and has bounced back into the fight, posting strong numbers of 5,474 units. The compact SUV now offers a host of new changes, including a redesigned front end, new interior layout with a touch-screen infotainment system, as well as a brand new three-cylinder petrol motor, along with an automatic gearbox. The EcoSport also offers six airbags in its top-end trim.

The ageless Mahindra Bolero holds its ground and continues to be a part of the Top 5 chart, amidst strong competition from contemporary products. The Bolero sold 4,911 units last month, maintaining a flat performance (November 2016: 4,939); and between April-November this year, the tough UV has garnered sales of 54,528 units.

The UV segment has seen a lot of action in the recent past and with the Auto Expo 2018 now just around the corner, expects new offerings and concepts in the space, with manufacturers eyeing to leverage the desirability and full potential offered by these high-off-the-ground vehicles. 

Also read: Top 10 Passenger Vehicles – November 2017