India August 2018: Tata soars 28% in second straight market decline

The Tiago breaks its volume record in August, helping Tata up to #3 brand.

* See the Top 25 All-brands and Top 90 models by clicking on the title *

Indian new car wholesale drop for the second month in a row at -2.6% to 284.880 even though the comparison set was high as August 2017 was at the time the 2nd largest monthly volume in history. The year-to-date tally remains however frankly into record territory at 2.299.502 units, up 8.8% on the previous record established at the same time last year. Brand leader Maruti (-4%) falls faster than the market, resulting in a slightly lower share at 51.1% vs. 51.3% so far this year, with Hyundai (-3%) matching the overall decline to 16.1% share vs. 15.8% YTD. Tata (+28%) is by far the best performer near the top of the Indian charts, securing the third step of the podium for the second time in the past 3 months and only the 5th time in the past 6 years after November 2016, November 2017 and June 2018. Tata however remains #4 so far in 2018, 9.300 sales below fellow Indian manufacturer Mahindra (-2%). Toyota (+18%) and Ford (+3%) are the only other Top 10 carmakers registering an uptick in August, with Renault (-32%), Datsun (-30%) and Volkswagen (-20%) all completely imploding and Honda (-2%) resisting much better at #5.

Mahindra Marazzo

Over in the models ranking, the Maruti Alto (+3%) reclaims the top spot for the first time since last March and only the 2nd time in the past 13 months alongside last November. It remains however 19.000 units below the Maruti DZire (-29%) in the YTD order, while the Maruti Swift (+51%) cements its third position. Like in July, Maruti monopolises the Top 6 with the Baleno (+3%), Wagon R (-2%) and Vitara Brezza (-8%) in tow. Three Hyundais follow: the Grand i10 (-7%), Elite i20 (-3%) and Creta (+2%) just as the Honda Amaze (+400%) holds onto a record 10th place for the 4th consecutive month. Just outside, the Maruti Celerio (+3%) rallies back up three spots on July and the Tata Tiago (+32%) smashes its volume record at 9.277 vs. a previous best of 8.327 last June. Notice also the Hyundai Xcent (+44%), the Ford Freestyle returning to an all-time high #29 first hit last May and the Mahindra Marazzo making its very first appearance in the Indian charts at #36.

Previous month: India July 2018: Amaze pushes Honda up 17% to first podium in 3 years

One year ago: India August 2017: DZire 2nd nameplate above 30.000 monthly sales

Full August 2018 Top 25 All-brands and Top 90 models below.