India Full Year 1992: Mahindra Jeep climbs to 2nd place, market down again

The Mahindra Jeep is the 2nd best-selling vehicle in India in 1992.

* See the Top 9 All-brands and Top 20 All-models by clicking on the title *

The Indian new vehicle market posts a second consecutive year-on-year decline, however slowing down its fall to -1.5% at 230.638 units. Brand leader Maruti (+2%) ignores the negative context to score a new share record at 46.3%, eclipsing its previous best of 45.8% established in 1989. This year sees a drastic change in the brands ranking: Mahindra (+20%), Tata (+15%) and Hindustan (+13%) all lodge stunning double-digit gains and overtake embattled Premier, freefalling 42% to just 9.1% share vs. 15.4% a year ago.

Over in the models ranking, the Maruti 800 (-5%) enjoys an 8th consecutive year on top but sees its share drop one percentage point to 27.6%, now less than double the #2, the Mahindra Jeep (+28%) at 14.2%. The Maruti Omnivan (-4%) is knocked down one spot to #3 while the Tata 407/608/609 (-2%) is up one to #4. The Hindustan Ambassador (+17%) gets an unexpected double-digit lift enabling it to outsell its archenemy the equally antic Premier Padmini (-51%) for the first time since at least 1985. We welcome in the charts for 1992 the new Maruti Zen (#11), a rebadged Suzuki Cervo Mode also marketed as the Suzuki Alto in Europe, and Maruti 1000 (#13), a rebadged Suzuki Cultus/Swift sedan.

Previous year: India 1991: Maruti Omnivan up to #2 in declining market

Full Year 1992 Top 9 All-brands and Top 20 All-models below.