India June 2014: Maruti Wagon R up to second place

Maruti Wagon R

* See the Top 60 best-selling models and Top 14 brands by clicking on the title! *

Is this the rebound everyone had been waiting for? After gaining ground for the first time in almost a year last month, in June new car sales in India are up a splendid 13% year-on-year to 212,734 registrations (temporary figures), which brings the year-to-date total to 1,259,109 units, now down just 0.8% on 2013. If this return of fortune confirms itself it is great news for the world car market as India is one of the biggest potential engines of growth for the next two decades. After dropping to a paltry third place in May for the first time in one decade, the Maruti Alto is back in charge this month with 30,499 sales and 14.3% share, which are no less than the nameplate’s strongest volume since March 2012 and highest market share in at least 3 years!

Hyundai Xcent

Up two spots on May to 2nd place, the Maruti Wagon R delivers an outstanding 17,119 sales for a best-ever 8% market share and hits its highest ranking since September 2012. Leaders last month, the Suzuki Swift Dzire (15,990 units) and Swift (13,632) are knocked down to #3 and #4 respectively but its June score enables the Swift Dzire to overtake its hatchback twin year-to-date to rank #2 with 105,773 sales vs. 104,872. The Hyundai Grand i10 (#6), Honda City (#7), Amaze (#8) and Hyundai Xcent (#9) all confirm they are now established as blockbusters in India.

Have we seen all the Datsun Go has to offer sales-wise already?

Now onto one of the (/the?) most important launches of the year in India: the Datsun Go. After debuting at 2,068 sales and #31 in March and growing to 2,690 and #22 in April (then totalling more than the entire Nissan range!), the Go has since lost quite a lot of ground: down 26% to 1,992 units and #28 in May and now down a further 45% to just 1,097 sales and #37 in June, by far its weakest result to date. The Go is now only marginally stronger than the Tata Nano (#40 at 1,001 units), widely considered as one of the biggest automotive flops of the past decade. Does this mean the Go is headed towards the same fate? Not just yet. Indian figures correspond to factory sales to dealerships (not end consumers) so the current evolution looks like the first factory batch is being used up. July-August figures should be much higher. If not and we see the Go fall below 1,000 monthly sales, then there will be reason to worry.

Previous month: India May 2014: Maruti Swift DZire and Swift lead, Alto down to #3

One year ago: India June 2013: Locally produced Ford Ecosport lands at #15

Full June 2014 Top 60 models and Top 14 brands Ranking Tables below.