India May 2018: Maruti (+24%), Tata (+61%), Honda (+41%) outpace market up 20%

The Vitara Brezza breaks its volume record in May, helping Maruti up 24%.

* See the Top 25 All-brands and Top 100 models by clicking on the title *

Indian new car wholesales leap up a fantastic 19.9% to an estimated 300.583 units, only the second time in Indian history the market is above 300.000 monthly sales after the 307.511 reached in September 2017. The year-to-date tally is now up 9.5% to a new record 1.453.967 ex-factory deliveries. Never to be undone, Maruti brilliantly manages to outpace the market with a stunning 24% year-on-year gain leading to a 53.7% share and 161.497 units, each time coming 2nd best below last month’s records of 55% and 163.434. Maruti leaves its immediate followers reeling: both Hyundai (+7%) and Mahindra (+0.5%) fall way below the market growth. In constrast, Tata (+61%), Honda (+41%) and Ford (+35%) post the largest gains in the Top 10 whereas Nissan (-41%) and Renault (-22%) both struggle.

Its facelift brings the Creta a new volume record and its first time as Hyundai’s best-seller in India.

Model-wise, the Maruti Dzire shoots up 159% on the previous generation a year ago, signing a dazzling 8th win in the past 10 months. It now distances the Indian leader for the past 13 consecutive years, the Maruti Alto, by 10.000 units so far in 2018 which could end up being a historical year. The Maruti Baleno continues to post outstanding results, up 33% to 19.398 units, its 2nd best-ever volume below the 20.412 it notched just last month. Below the Maruti Swift (+16%) and Wagon R (+3%), the Maruti Vitara Brezza (+26%) breaks its volume record at 15.629 (previous best: 15.243 in July 2017). This means Maruti monopolises the Top 6 for the fourth time in history after July, August and November 2017.

The new Amaze posts the highest ever monthly volume for any Honda in India.

Thanks to its facelift going on sale on May 21, the Hyundai Creta soars 31% year-on-year to break its all-time volume record at 11.004 (previous best 10.556 in July 2017), climbing to an all-time high 7th place, also hit in February 2016. The Creta is Hyundai’s best-seller in India for the very first time, eclipsing the Grand i10 and Elite i20. The new generation Honda Amaze reappears in the ranking directly at #11 with 9.789 sales, a new record for the nameplate but also the highest ever monthly volume for any Honda in India. It’s the Amaze’s highest ranking since October 2015. The Hyundai Verna (+575%), Maruti S-Cross (+105%), Maruti Celerio (+65%), Tata Tiago (+44%) and Ford Ecosport (+40%) also impress. Among recent launches, the Ford Freestyle is up 149% on its inaugural outing last month while the Toyota Yaris is up 79%, both nameplates breaking into the Top 30.

Previous month: India April 2018: Maruti breaks volume and share records at 55%

One year ago: India May 2017: Maruti Vitara Brezza breaks record in market up 8%

Full May 2018 Top 25 All-brands and Top 100 models below.