India December 2012: Maruti Alto and Toyota Innova shine

Maruti Alto 800

* See the Top 50 best-selling models and All-brands by clicking on the title! *

* See the Full Year 2012 post here *

Year-end discounts didn’t do much to dynamise an Indian new car market that is starting to lack puff: sales are even down 3% year-on-year in December to 191,827 registrations, the 2nd lowest 2012 monthly figure after August, bringing the Full Year 2012 total to 2,629,319 units, still up a very healthy 14% on 2011. Helped by the new Alto 800, the Maruti Alto is up to 26,234 sales and 13.7%, its highest market share in at least a year. It is followed by the Suzuki Swift up to its highest monthly figure since last May at 17,436 units, while the Maruti DZire round up the podium with 13,076 sales.

Toyota Innova

All Top 3 models are way above their 2012 market share levels this month, and it goes the same for the Mahindra Bolero, up to #4 at 9,278 units and 4.8%. The Hyundai Eon breaks into the Indian Top 5 for the first time since last April whereas the Toyota Innova is up 8 spots on last month to reach its best-ever ranking in the country at #7, a position it also held last June. The Maruti Ertiga confirms its success and maintains itself within the Indian Top 10 for the 6th consecutive month at #9.

Mahindra Quanto

Another exceptional month for the Renault Duster, #13 again with 4,485 sales and 2.3%. The Mahindra XUV500 continues its steady and extremely impressive progression, beating its ranking record again this month at #16, while the Mahindra Quanto is up to a record #22 at 2,948 units. The Chevrolet Sail struggles a bit at #40 (-7) but the Renault Scala beats its volume record at 820 sales and #44. On the negative side, the Tata Nano is down to #25 and 2,202 units, its 2nd weakest monthly total after the 1,202 units it sold in August 2011.

Full Year post: India Full Year 2012: Maruti Swift and DZire beat records

Previous month: India November 2012: Maruti impress, Renault Duster progresses

One year ago: India Full Year 2011: Maruti Alto leads for 7th consecutive year

Full December 2012 Top 50 models and All-brands Ranking Tables below.