The mood is good, it seems, in the passenger vehicle market. Hyundai Motor India, the No. 2 market player, has just reported its highest-ever domestic market monthly sales of 56,605 units in October 2020. This is also a 13.2% increase over that previous record. Earlier today, Maruti Suzuki reported sales of 163,656 units (17.6%). Hyundai’s previous best was 52,001 units in October 2018.

While the Korean carmaker has not shared details of the model-wise sales, it can be gleaned that the biggest contributors to the October 2020 total would be the new Creta, the current SUV market leader and the Venue compact SUV, both benefiting from the boom in SUV sales.

Sustained demand for the midsized Hyundai Creta SUV, which was launched just before the lock-down in March and still managed to pull buyers into showrooms even in a nervous market environment to clock 115,000 bookings within six months, is one of the top reasons for Hyundai’s strong performance, which is also its best-ever with respect to monthly sales numbers.

What has also added to the numbers are the despatches of the all-new third-generation Hyundai i20 premium hatchback, which has been unveiled and is now set to be officially introduced into the market on November 5.

The car will give competition to arch rival Maruti Suzuki Baleno and in its latest avatar, is coming loaded with a host of feel-good features including a sunroof, Bose premium audio system and six airbags for safety.

Commenting on the October sales performance, Tarun Garg, Director (Sales, Marketing & Service), Hyundai Motor India said, “The October month sales performance has set a positive tone for overall business environment and we are confident that Hyundai will continue to strongly contribute towards sustainable growth of economy, community and all its stake holders.”