By Mohit Kumar
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Most Selling Car in India include Maruti Swift, Dzire, Alto, Kia Seltos, Hyundai i20, Creta, Tata Nexon and more.
Car sales in India are expected to reach a new record high in 2023, driven by the strong demand for SUVs and MPVs, as well as the recovery of the economy from the pandemic. According to industry estimates, passenger vehicle sales in 2023 could cross 4 million units, making India the third-largest car market in the world after China and the US.
The first half of 2023 saw a 10% growth in passenger vehicle sales, with an estimated 2.1 million units sold. This was the third consecutive six-month period in which sales grew in double digits, indicating a sustained recovery from the low base of 2020-21, when sales were severely affected by the lockdowns and supply chain disruptions.
India is one of the fastest-growing car markets in the world, with millions of new buyers every year. But what are the most popular cars among Indian consumers in 2023? In this article, we will look at the top 10 best-selling cars in India based on the latest data from the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM).
The Swift is a perennial favourite among Indian car buyers, thanks to its affordable price, reliable performance, and stylish design. The Swift was updated in 2023 with a new hybrid engine that offers better fuel efficiency and lower emissions. The Swift also comes with a range of features such as a touchscreen infotainment system, dual airbags, and rear parking sensors.
The i20 is a premium hatchback that offers a spacious cabin, a powerful engine, and a sleek exterior. The i20 has been revamped in 2023 with a new design language that gives it a more sporty and dynamic look. The i20 also boasts a host of features such as a sunroof, wireless charging, six airbags, and a digital instrument cluster.
The Nexon is a compact SUV that has gained popularity among Indian consumers for its rugged looks, spacious interiors, and high ground clearance. The Nexon was upgraded in 2023 with a new electric variant that delivers a range of 312 km on a single charge. The Nexon also offers features such as a Harman Kardon sound system, cruise control, and hill hold assist.
The Seltos is a mid-size SUV that has made a strong impression on the Indian market since its launch in 2019. The Seltos has been refreshed in 2023 with a new turbo-petrol engine that offers more power and torque. The Seltos also comes with features such as a panoramic sunroof, ventilated seats, a Bose sound system, and a 360-degree camera.
The Creta is another mid-size SUV that has been dominating the Indian market for years. The Creta was updated in 2023 with a new diesel engine that offers better mileage and performance. The Creta also features a smart panoramic sunroof, an air purifier, a wireless phone charger, and a blind spot monitor.
The Baleno is a premium hatchback that offers a spacious cabin, a smooth ride, and a refined engine. The Baleno has been enhanced in 2023 with a new dual-jet petrol engine that offers more power and efficiency. The Baleno also comes with features such as a smart hybrid system, LED headlamps, and automatic climate control.
The Dzire is a compact sedan that offers a comfortable ride, a large boot space, and an economical engine. The Dzire was improved in 2023 with a new dual-tone exterior colour option and new alloy wheels. The Dzire also features features such as an auto-dimming rearview mirror, rear AC vents, and push-button start.
The Wagon R is a tall-boy hatchback that offers ample headroom, legroom, and storage space. The Wagon R was modified in 2023 with a new CNG variant that offers lower running costs and lower emissions. The Wagon R also comes with features such as electrically adjustable ORVMs, steering-mounted controls, and a rear parking camera.
The Alto is the most affordable car in India, and also the most popular one. The Alto has been revised in 2023 with a new BS6-compliant petrol engine that offers better fuel efficiency and lower emissions. The Alto also comes with features such as an anti-lock braking system (ABS), dual airbags, and power windows.
The Vitara Brezza is the most selling car in India in 2023, according to SIAM data. The Vitara Brezza is a compact SUV that offers a stylish design, a spacious cabin, and a peppy engine. The Vitara Brezza has been transformed in 2023 with a new petrol-hybrid engine that offers more power and mileage. The Vitara Brezza also comes with features such as LED projector headlamps, rain-sensing wipers, and smart keyless entry.
The growth momentum was led by the utility vehicle (UV) segment, which includes SUVs and MPVs. UVs accounted for nearly half of the total passenger vehicle sales in the first half of 2023, growing by 35% year-on-year. The popularity of UVs was driven by factors such as changing consumer preferences, increased availability of models across price segments, improved features and safety, and better fuel efficiency.
Some of the best-selling UVs in 2023 were Maruti Suzuki's Brezza, Ertiga, Fronx, Grand Vitara, Invicto, Jimny, S-Cross and XL6; Hyundai's Creta, Alcazar, Venue and Kona; Tata Motors' Nexon, Harrier, Safari and Hexa; Mahindra & Mahindra's XUV300, XUV500, XUV700 and Thar; Toyota's Innova Crysta, Fortuner and Urban Cruiser; MG Motor's Hector, Hector Plus and Gloster; and Kia's Seltos, Sonet and Carnival.
The car market also saw some new entrants and launches in 2023, such as Tesla's Model 3 and Model Y; Citroen's C5 Aircross and C3; Skoda's Kushaq and Octavia; Volkswagen's Taigun and Tiguan; Renault's Kiger and Triber; Nissan's Magnite and Kicks; Honda's Elevate and City Hybrid; Ford's EcoSport Facelift and Figo Cross; and Jeep's Renegade and Meridian.
The car market also witnessed some challenges and headwinds in 2023, such as rising input costs, fuel prices, inflation and interest rates; chip shortage and supply chain issues; regulatory changes such as scrappage policy, emission norms and safety standards; and competition from alternative modes of mobility such as electric vehicles, shared mobility and public transport.
The outlook for the car market in India remains positive for the second half of 2023 and beyond, as the industry expects to benefit from the festive season demand, pent-up demand, rural demand, new model launches, improved consumer sentiment and vaccination drive. The industry also hopes to overcome the challenges posed by the pandemic and other factors through innovation, collaboration and resilience.