India September 2022: Sales up 89.5% to new all-time record, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara lands

First month in market for the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

Wholesales of new locally produced cars in India surge by a whopping 89.5% year-on-year in September to hit a new all-time monthly volume record at 354,702 units. This is the first time the Indian market crosses the 350,000 monthly unit milestone as it erases the previous high mark of 341,112 units established just two months ago in July. Brand leader Maruti Suzuki (+135.1%) more than doubles its sales year-on-year but matches its share with its YTD level at 41.8%. Hyundai (+50.2%) is struggling in context while the next three brands all break their all-time monthly volume records: Tata is up 85.2%, Mahindra is up 166.4% and Kia up 79.1% to reach new heights. No other Top 10 manufacturer beats the market, with Toyota (+65.6%) and Volkswagen (+60.1%) faring best. Further down, Citroen (+1825%) continues to gear up, crossing the 1,000 monthly unit mark for the first time and overtaking Jeep.

This month the Top 4 models are 100% Maruti and all outpace the market. The Alto (+104.6%) returns to a once-familiar top spot but only ranks #6 year-to-date. The Wagon R (+163.1%) follows and cements its YTD leadership, it distances the Baleno (+139.8%) now #3 YTD and the Vitara Brezza (+724.2%!). The Tata Nexon (+57.6%), Hyundai Creta (+57%) and Maruti Suzuki Eeco (+61.9%) are in tow and all disappoint in the supercharged context. In 8th place, the Tata Punch breaks its monthly volume record for the third consecutive month, lifting it to 12,251 as it is about to celebrate one year in market. The Mahindra Scorpio (+268.5%) also posts a new all-time high, up 35% on its previous best hit just last month. This month we welcome the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara already at a high level at #27 with almost 4,800 wholesales for its inaugural month in market. Its twin the Toyota Hyryder launches at a much more discreet #51. The two models were designed by Suzuki but are produced by Toyota. Note the Grand Vitara replaces the S-Cross, while the Hyryder indirectly replaces the smaller Urban Cruiser which is the Vitara Brezza’s twin.

Previous month: India August 2022: Market flourishes +26.4% to August record, Mahindra, Tata Nexon and Punch at all-time high

One year ago: Italy September 2021: Tata (+21.4%), Toyota (+14.4%) defy collapsing market (-36.6%)

Full September 2022 Top 15 all brands and Top 82 all models below.