Top 5 Utility Vehicles in February 2016

The character of Indian roads is changing and utility vehicles (UV) are coming back into the spotlight with an increasing number of customers opting for multi-purpose vehicles rather than ones just meant for rudimentary commute, which was evident in the recent sales figures as well.

Even as the passenger cars segment reported de-growth for a second consecutive month in February, the utility vehicle segment grew sharply by almost 21 percent in the month to provide a buffer to the overall passenger vehicles sales. This resurgence of the UV segment in India is thanks to the growing popularity of compact UVs coupled with the introduction of various new products by manufacturers to tap niche segments.

The top sellers in February constitute a mix of urban and rugged SUVs, MPVs and a sub-four metre compact UVs as well. Hyundai’s Creta claimed the top spot in February with sales of 8,196 units, its highest ever in a month since launch in July last year. The Creta has been constantly clocking average sales of around 7,000 units a month and is among the top choices for customers looking for an urban SUV.
 

Mahindra & Mahindra, the country’s largest UV manufacturer, grabbed the second spot on the list with its trusty old workhorse, the Bolero. A favourite of the rural customers, due to its rugged and go- anywhere image, the Bolero has been the most consistent performer for the manufacturer despite being in production for 16 years now. The MUV clocked sales of 7,446 units in February.

Next on the list is the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga. A popular fleet and family vehicle, this urban MPV based on the Swift platform has been a game changer for the country’s largest carmaker since its launch in 2012. Offered with a host of engine options ranging from petrol, CNG and diesel variants, Maruti Suzuki recently introduced a SHVS mild hybrid variant of the MPV and has managed to add incremental volumes in February. The carmaker despatched 5,620 units of the model in the month.

The country’s most sold MPV – Toyota Innova – took the fourth spot in the list with sales of 4,945 units.  The Innova, which was brought in India to replace the Qualis, became an instant hit when it was launched in 2005 and became equally popular among fleet and private owners. Now with the-next generation Crysta showcased at Auto Expo 2016 and the last batch of production for the current generation wrapped up on March 14, the Innova is set to be replaced soon.
 

The last spot was taken by another Mahindra, and this time its newest offering – the KUV100. With looks that are more hatchback than SUV, the KUV100 garnered sales of 4,486 units in February. The company is working on ramping up production for the KUV100 and hopes to see consistent demand for the model in the future, which could make it a regular feature in the Top 5 as well.

The UV space is set to see a lot more action in the coming days with a wide range of launches from various manufacturers in the pipeline. The recent launch of the Maruti Vitara Brezza, its first step into the sub-four metre compact SUV segment, has stirred the market with big expectations. Given all the positive feedback for the SUV, we could see a strong contender for the top spot in the form of the Vitara Brezza in the coming months.

Shourya Harwani