INDIA SALES: Top 5 UVs – October 2017: Maruti S-Cross springs a surprise

While the Vitara Brezza and Creta continue to own the top two spots and the robust Bolero doesn’t budge from No. 3 position, the updated Maruti S-Cross bounds into the best-seller’s list.

By Mayank Dhingra

19 Nov 2017

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INDIA SALES: Top 5 UVs – October 2017: Maruti S-Cross springs a surprise

Utility vehicles (UVs) are trending across the world and in India, they account for one of every four PVs sold in the country. During April-October 2017, a total of 519,333 units (+16.95%) were driven home by new buyers, and account for 27.17 percent of the total PVs sold (1,910,782) during the period.

In October 2017, this buoyant segment registered cumulative sales of 79,323 units, registering growth of 12.44 percent, and augmenting its share of the total passenger vehicles sold (279,837) to 28.34 percent.

Maruti’s Vitara Brezza continues to maintain its lead in the top five UVs, which cumulatively sold 41,292 units in October 2017. The Brezza sold 11,684 units, posting a growth 16.18 percent (October 2016: 10,056). The compact SUV has been single-handedly responsible for rapidly accelerating the company’s UV market share to 28.43 percent, where it alone has contributed almost 50 percent to the total UV sales of the company coming in from the Vitara Brezza, Gypsy, Ertiga and S-Cross. The vehicles together sold 23,382 units in October (+29.84%) and cumulatively 147,630 units in April-October 2017 (+34.24%).

At No. 2, the Hyundai Creta maintains its position with sales of 9,248 units, growing by 7 percent (October 2016: 8,670). The Creta has cumulatively sold 63,280 units between April-October 2017 but might now see the competition heating up with the recent introduction of the Renault Captur, which has been launched at highly aggressive prices, with its diesel top-end undercutting the Creta by Rs 70,000.

With good amount of infrastructural activities going around, rugged UVs are still quite popular, especially in rural India and the hinterland. The Mahindra Bolero has consistently been a part of this list and retains the No. 3 position it had a year ago. The Bolero sold 8,395 units last month, maintaining a flat performance at 1 percent (October 2016: 8,323); and between April-October this year, the tough UV has garnered sales of 49,617 units.

At No. 4 is the Toyota Innova Crysta, which sold 6,455 units, growing 3 percent (October 2016: 6,294). The immensely popular people-mover in the country has now also brought in additional desirability with a premium cabin ambience, as well as by offering an automatic transmission in its powertrain options.

The surprise package this month is another Maruti. With a newly received update in October itself, the Maruti S-Cross steps in to take hold of the No. 5 position, selling 5,510 units in its maiden month of getting launched.

The crossover, which has been pitched as a premium offering, has received some aesthetic updates including a new front grille, LED projector headlamps, and a new set of alloy wheels, all of which together aim to enhance the crossover’s styling, which has until now been its major gremlin.

Apart from the novelty factor attached with a facelift responsible for the sales, it would be interesting to see how the S-Cross fares against competition in the coming months. That’s because this model has now lost its USP – the 1.6-litre diesel motor, which was a huge rage amongst enthusiasts.

With a host of updates and new products, in the form of the just-launche Ford EcoSport and the Renault Captur, the UV segment is set to witness exciting times. Stay tuned to AutocarPro as we bring you details and insights of the pitched battles in the marketplace.