Apex trade physique SIAM not too long ago launched the wholesale automobile numbers for the Indian automotive trade for February 2021, and cumulative knowledge for the April 2020-February 2021 interval. The information reveals that the UV phase goes robust in an in any other case troubled market.
- SUV, MPV gross sales develop whereas remainder of the trade sees a year-on-year decline
- FY2021 UV gross sales (until February) stand at 9,02,951 items
- Maruti is the chief within the UV phase, adopted by Hyundai, Mahindra, Kia and Tata
Whereas the passenger automobile (PV) trade shouldn’t be out of the woods but, with gross sales of 23,35,808 items (-10.35 p.c) within the 11-month interval – with passenger automotive gross sales at 13,36,473 items (-16.20 p.c) and vans at 96,384 items (-23 p.c) – it’s the utility automobile (UV) phase that’s packing all of the punches. At 9,02,951 items (+1.96 p.c), it’s the sole sub-segment within the April 2020-February 2021 interval to be in constructive territory amongst PVs, three-wheelers and two-wheelers.
Annual UV gross sales set to cross the a million mark this fiscal
Take a look at the month-to-month stats under for the continued fiscal 12 months and it’s amply clear that the UV phase, which incorporates SUVs and MPVs, is firing on all cylinders. Gross sales crossed the 1,00,000 unit mark in October and November 2020, January and February 2021, and got here near that determine in two different months. What’s extra, there was a good run within the early months of the COVID-19-impacted 12 months, the washout month of April 2020 however.
On condition that UV gross sales within the first 11 months of FY2021 within the home market are logged at 9,02,951 items (add Tata Motors’ 22,334 items for January and February 2021), it may be forecast that UV gross sales for FY2021 will simply cross the ten,00,000 or one-million mark for the primary time ever.
The closest the Indian auto trade got here to hitting the million-unit mark in UV gross sales was in FY2020, when at 9,46,010 items it fell in need of the milestone by 53,990 items. Whole UV gross sales in FY2019 had been 9,41,461 items.
Some number-crunching reveals that cumulative 15-year UV gross sales in India have crossed the 8.3 million mark, speedy development coming from FY2013 when UV gross sales crossed the half-a-million unit mark for the primary time. Almost 9 million UVs have been bought previously 9 fiscal years (see knowledge desk under).
How do the person automakers stack up?
In a automobile phase the place gross sales are booming, rivalry can solely be intense, which is abundantly seen within the UV market share statistics for the April 2020-February 2021 interval (see detailed desk under).
PV market chief Maruti Suzuki India can also be the UV market chief with 2,02,927 items and a 22.47 p.c market share. What’s creditable is that, regardless of diving out of the diesel engine market previously 12 months, the corporate is simply 9.16 p.c behind its year-ago gross sales of two,23,394 items.
In the meantime, a hard-charging Hyundai Motor India with 1,90,651 items (up 16.30 p.c YoY) is shut behind with a 21.11 p.c share, up from 18.51 p.c a 12 months in the past. Credit score plenty of that seedy development to the surging demand for India’s bestselling UV – the brand new Creta.
Mahindra & Mahindra, at No. 3 place, has 1,38,887 items to its title and a UV market share of 15.38 p.c, down from 19 p.c a 12 months in the past, however the brand new Thar is giving it new market traction.
Kia Motors India, with 1,36,586 items and 15.13 p.c, is in fourth place – a exceptional achievement having launched its first product — the Seltos — barely 18 months in the past. A resurgent Tata Motors is at No. 5 place.
Issues flip fascinating when Hyundai and Kia gross sales and market share are clubbed collectively. With a complete of three,27,237 items, the 2 Korean producers have the bulk UV market share of 36.24 p.c.
SUVs: the vehicles for all causes and all seasons
The all-encompassing enchantment of the SUV shouldn’t be troublesome to fathom. Larger and taller than common vehicles, they offer the driving force a greater view of the street forward – so essential in a rustic like India. And the raised floor clearance is all the time useful relating to driving over rugged terrain.
Moreover, being bigger than hatchbacks and a few sedans, in addition they pack ample cupboard space, have cavernous boots and loads of room on the rear to stretch out – excellent for use as a household automotive. However massive may also be small, as a result of with the appearance of the sub-four-metre compact SUV class in India, SUVs can simply manoeuvre via dense visitors and in addition match into tight spots, armed as they’re as of late with driving aids.
Tanking up can also be not a vastly costly affair because it was once with SUVs previously. Producers and engine engineering have made enormous advances over time, which is why SUVs in recent times are each gas environment friendly and in addition extra eco-friendly.
In fact, relating to experience and dealing with, SUVs are the automobile you’d wish to have if you find yourself driving in unhealthy climate circumstances or unknown roads. Sizeable weight, larger and wider wheels and sturdy nature guarantee they ship improved grip and stability. Security is paramount and right this moment most SUVs include ABS, EBD, ESP and even hill-hold and hill-descent management in some circumstances.
Progress outlook: SUV-ival of the fittest
Furthermore, in India, demand for sub-four-metre compact SUVs appears insatiable and producers are going all out to introduce new merchandise. The approaching months will see quite a few new fashions getting launched, together with the likes of the brand new Mahindra XUV500, Skoda Kushaq, Volkswagen Taigun and the Citroen C5 Aircross.
Clearly, there’s loads of motion developing on the UV entrance in 2021. Keep tuned to extra number-crunching coming your approach.
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Additionally see:
Automotive, SUV gross sales up 23 p.c in February 2021
February 2021: Automotive, SUV gross sales up as general automobile registrations decline
Two-wheeler gross sales present development in February 2021