Indian market dominated by SUV & crossover sales

The buyers feel safer and more secure in such SUVs, solely due to the higher ground clearance and the muscular looks, that show a better road presence than small cars/hatches and also most of the sedans.

BHPian anjan_c2007 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

The Indian car market long considered among the top ones in the world for small cars and hatches has now graduated into becoming a market where SUV sales dominate. One in every two cars sold during the July-Sept 2021 quarter is a SUV. And the same feat is repeated in the total SUV sales figures for September '21.

SUVs are available in all shapes and sizes (incl engine sizes) from almost every car maker and the 'below 4000 mm length for a lower GST' doctrine of the Finance Ministry has led to a deluge of such smaller SUVs, that have lately become darlings of car buyers.

Credit goes to the trendsetter Hyundai Creta's massive success that has led to a massive 'herd flocking' by almost every car maker into this domain. India has joined the list of countries with leading car sales, where SUVs dominate the charts since quite a few to quite many years.

The buyers feel safer and more secure in such SUVs solely due to the higher ground clearance and the muscular looks, that show a better road presence than small cars/hatches and also most of the sedans. The proliferation of better expressways and the urge to drive to destinations rather than board the bus, train or airplane make the buyer choose a sturdier looking vehicle.

We had sales charts topped by the Maruti 800 for about two decades to be unseated by the Alto, then the Swift, later the Swift Dzire and so on, when the incumbent toppers were always predictable. From now on it will be interesting to see the new toppers and new trends being set in the Top 20 sales charts every month.

Excerpts from the article:

With sales of 87,720 units in September 2021, SUVs outnumbered the passenger cars category –– comprising hatchbacks and sedans — by a large distance as the latter could only sell 64,235 units in the same month.

And the trend was equally strong during the second quarter of 2021-22 — SUVs sold 3,67,457 units while passenger cars added up to 3,43,939 units, according to data sourced by TOI from SIAM, the industry lobby group.

Link to full article.

Here's what BHPian abhishek46 had to say on the matter:

This 'SUV' trend started several years ago, abroad (US, EU markets etc.).

It was only a matter of time, before it caught the fancies of the Indian buyer.

The deteriorating road conditions in Indian cities, and the unpredictable situations on the highways, simply added fuel to the fire.

Not to mention, the introduction of Easy-To-Drive 'crossovers' made it very easy for masses, to transition from their Hatchbacks/Sedans.

Here's what BHPian Nalin1 had to say on the matter:

For the higher seating position alone, SUVs/compact SUVs/crossovers are a boon. In a country where the traffic situation folds and unfolds virtually every second, I want to see way in front of me to plan my next move.

The other obvious things have been discussed a million times on this forum.

A big thumbs up to SUVs.

Here's what BHPian saikarthik had to say on the matter:

One picture is equal to a thousand words:

India needs SUVs but, most people inspired by the SUV tag, buy more feature loaded soft utility vehicles. I am not against their decisions, but just citing the trend.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.