India May 2021: Hyundai Creta leads, Kia Sonet up to #3 in market off -56.3% on two years ago

The Hyundai Creta is the best-selling vehicle in India in May.

As Covid infections suddenly surged to world record levels, the Indian new car market suffers in May. At 103.343 wholesales, it is up 184.9% on May 2020 which was also heavily impacted by Covid, but more significantly it is down -56.3% on two years ago in May 2019. The year-to-date tally is now up 91.6% to 1.322.214 wholesales. All evolutions below are vs. May 2019. Maruti (-72.8%) is in dire straits this month with just 31.8% share vs. 45.3% so far this year, whereas Hyundai (-41.2%) improves to 24.2% share vs. 17.4% year-to-date. Tata (+39.3%) completely ignores the depleted context to sport a double-digit gain vs. two years ago. Kia is up one spot on April to return to the 4th place it holds year-to-date, passing Mahindra (-60.4%) which is struggling this month. The most affected carmakers include Toyota (-94.2%), Ford (-88%) and Honda (-82.2%). Renault (-56%) matches the market while Nissan (+154.6%) shoots up thanks to the new Magnite, and Skoda (-37.6%), Volkswagen (-46.9%) and Jeep (-51.4%) lose less ground. We welcome Citroen in the Indian brands charts this month with 40 wholesales of its C5 Aircross.

The Hyundai Alcazar has landed in the Indian sales charts.

Over in the models ranking, we have an earthquake in pole position: the Hyundai Creta is down just -16.9% on two years ago and takes the lead with over 7.500 wholesales. This is only the second time in the past 35 years that it’s not a Maruti atop the Indian charts, the last time being a year ago in May 2020 when the Hyundai Creta also led the charts. Leader over the Full Year 2020 and so far in 2021, the Maruti Swift (-58.9%) is knocked down to 2nd place overall. Maruti’s weakness enables some unheard of moves this month. The Kia Sonet shoots up 11 spots on April to land on the third step of the podium, smashing its ranking record vs. a previous best of #7 in November 2020. Similarly, the Tata Nexon (+42.9%) is also up 11 ranks on last month to #4 whereas its previous best ranking was #13 in December 2020… The Maruti DZire (-64.1%) and Hyundai Venue (-31.3%) follow while the Kia Seltos returns to the Top 10 at #8. Notice also the Tata Altroz up to #13, the Mahindra Thar (+706.3%) up to #18 and the new Hyundai Alcazar, a 6 or 7-seat SUV based on the Creta platform, appearing at #24 with 1.360 wholesales ready for a June launch to the public.

Previous month: India April 2021: Market up 15.1% on two years ago, Maruti Wagon R in the lead

One year ago: India May 2020: Hyundai Creta first non-Maruti #1 in 35 years in K.O. market (-84.5%)

Full May 2021 Top 16 brands and Top 80 models below.