The fourth-gen Maruti Swift doesn’t seem to be making waves in the market like its predecessors. Launched this May and offered with discounts just two months later, the new Swift's numbers are less than its predecessor during the same period last year. In fact, it is lesser than even the larger, more premium Baleno.
- Swift wholesales in November were 14,737 units, down 4 percent
- Baleno November wholesales hit 16,293 units, a 26 percent increase
- Wagon R and Alto K10 sales down 16 percent and 8 percent, respectively
New Maruti Swift vs old Swift sales
During November, wholesales of the Maruti Swift stood at 14,737 units, which is a 4 percent decrease over the same period last year (15,311 units). It should be noted that at the time, the third-gen's facelift was approaching the end of its life cycle and averaged monthly wholesales of 17,186 units in the June-November period. The fourth-gen hatchback averaged 15,773 units over the same six-month period. While the sales table does show there was interest initially, it seems to have petered out.
Maruti Swift vs Baleno sales
Maruti’s premium hatchback, the Baleno, has outsold the Swift in November 2024, with wholesales of 16,293 units, a significant 26 percent increase over last November, and a 1.3 percent rise over October’s wholesales. However, it still lags behind the Swift in terms of monthly average (13,893 units in the June-November period).
The Baleno does offer more than the Swift for not much more money. With the fourth-gen model, prices of the Swift – Rs 6.49 lakh-9.45 lakh – increased to the point where there is a significant overlap with the Baleno (Rs 6.66 lakh-9.83 lakh). The Baleno is larger overall, offers more room on the inside and has a longer equipment list. Further, its 90hp 1.2-litre four-cylinder engine offers more performance and refinement than the Swift’s new 82hp 1.2-litre three-cylinder unit. The latter's engine dilutes the smaller hatchback’s image of being a fun, sporty drive. Finally, buyers likely prefer the more premium Nexa ownership experience that comes with the Baleno.
Hatchbacks sales continue to decline
Another reason for the less-than-stellar sales of the Swift could be the overall decline of the hatchback segment. Market share of hatchbacks has shrunk in favour of SUVs, and popular Maruti models like the Wagon R and Alto K10 also saw a year-on-year decline in monthly wholesales of 16 percent and 8 percent, respectively. Hyundai’s Grand i10 Nios is the only hatchback other than the Baleno to post an increase in November sales.
Viraaj Bhatnagar
Uday Singh
Suraj Viswanathan
