Automotive insights and analytics provider, Jato Dynamics India, released data on the rise in overall sales of SUVs compared to hatchbacks in India for the month of January 2022, and that the industry will see a shift in its preference, as SUVs would become the most preferred choice of body style in the country. According to the data, around 42.2 per cent of the overall sales in January 2022 were monopolized by SUVs, while the hatchbacks accounted for 35.5 per cent. Sedans and MPVs accounted for 11.9 per cent and 10.4 per cent respectively, out of the overall sales pie.
undefinedThe SUVs boom has become a long term trend driving the growth in the industry. SUVs will overtake hatchbacks in 2022
— JATO Dynamics India (@JATOIndia) February 10, 2022
The SUV body style is perceived as more capable in all road conditions.
#autonews #automotive pic.twitter.com/8qA8WimNRb
Ravi G Bhatia, President India & Director, JATO Dynamics said, “The SUVs boom has become a long-term trend driving the growth in the industry. We forecast that the SUVs will overtake hatchbacks in 2022. They saved many OEMs from the financial crisis years and are now the only source of profits for many carmakers.”
Kia Seltos was the most sold SUV in January 2022, registering 11,483 units.
Also Read: Tata Nexon Leads Electric Passenger Vehicle Sales In April 2021: Jato India
Bhatia is also optimistic about the growth in the passenger vehicle segment, contributed not only by the options available in the SUV segment but also the fact that the industry is expecting about 7 new SUVs this year. Moreover, premium brands will also help in the influx of SUVs in the market. He added, “Their (premium carmakers) popularity is so high that brands historically associated with sports cars, luxury sedans, are now selling more SUVs than those cars- Porsche, Volvo, Rolls-Royce, Lamborghini, for instance. The activity in the premium end will be significant.”
Around 9,869 units of the Hyundai Creta were sold in January 2022.
Also Read: Auto Sales January 2022: Kia India Records 1.4 Per Cent Sales Growth
Jato Dynamics says the Indian SUV segment is experiencing a surge in the number of SUVs available in the country and will account for a lion's share in the overall sales chart by the end of this year. The hatchbacks, which till now were the most preferred choice of wheels, will be replaced by the larger body style, owing to the fact, that it is perceived as more capable in all road conditions. The overall sales in January 2022 however saw a decline of 3 per cent with 297,000 units sold as compared to the same period in January 2021. However, it is worth noting that 22 out of 35 new vehicles launched in 2021 were SUVs and that these body styles will account for a large chunk of the overall sales.
Despite the semiconductor chip shortage, Mahindra managed to sell 4,119 units of the flagship XUV700 SUV.
In January 2022, three SUVs registered strong growth in sales and were listed in the top 10 list of best-selling products in India. The list was topped by Kia Seltos, registering 11,483 units in January 2022, as compared to 9,869 units in January 2021. Next was Hyundai Creta, with 9,869 units in January 2022 as against 12,284 units in the same period last year. The third on the list, is the recently launched Mahindra XUV700, garnering 4,119 units. All these models are offered with both petrol and diesel powertrains as well as both manual and automatic gearbox options, making them an ideal choice for a buyer.
