India Full Year 2005: Maruti Alto takes the lead, Santro & Indica on podium

* See the Top 25 All-brands and Top 95 All-models by clicking on the title *

Indian new vehicle sales gain a further 7.3% in 2005 to lodge a fourth consecutive record volume at 1.225.678 units. Maruti continues to follow the market to remain very stable market share-wise at 42%. Tata (+14%) doubles the market growth to cross the symbolic 20% share line for the first time in the brand’s history at 20.7%, while Hyundai (+12%) also improves its share to 12.8%. Mahindra (+2%), Toyota (-12%) and Honda (+15%) complete a Top 6 unchanged on 2004. Chevrolet soars 46% to #7, Skoda (+24%) is up to #11 but Fiat (-68%) and Opel (-42%) implode.

Hyundai Santro

After outselling the Maruti 800 over the second half of 2004, the Maruti Alto (+36%) officially takes the title of best selling car in India in 2005, ending 20 consecutive years of 800 reign. At the same time, the Alto is the 2nd nameplate after the 800 to sell over 150.000 units in a single year in India. The 800 crumbles 31% to #4, leaving the Hyundai Santro (+2%) and Tata Indica (+8%) on the podium, both above 100.000 units. The Maruti Wagon R (+17%) round up the Top 5 above the Maruti Omni (+5%) and Zen (-34%). The Maruti Swift, launched in June, ends the year at #9 and already ranks #6 in November with an impressive 7% share. The Santro is the sole foreign nameplate in the Top 10, with the Honda City (#12) and Toyota Innova (#13), new for 2005, the next best-sellers.

Previous year: India 2004: Maruti Alto challenges 800, leader for 20 years

Full Year 2005 Top 25 All-brands and Top 95 All-models below.

Full April-November 2005 monthly Top 20 models below.

Full January-December 2005 monthly Top 15 brands below.