Demand for CNG-fuelled cars and SUVs continues to be on the upswing, as seen in the retails sales in the first six months of 2024. A look at the segment-wise retail sales data table reveals that CNG-powered passenger vehicles (cars, SUVs and MPVs) at 2,42,289 units registered a handsome 49 percent YoY growth in the first half of this year (H1 2023: 1,62,585). They account for the bulk of the CNG industry’s sales at 44 percent.
At present, there are only four CNG car and SUV manufacturers in India, which retail a total of 25 models. Let’s take a closer look at each player and how they have fared.
Maruti Suzuki: Over 1.59 lakh CNG cars, SUVs sold
In the January-June 2024 period, Maruti Suzuki has sold 1,59,031 units, up 34 percent (H1 2023: 1,18,903 units) and 57 percent of its CY2023’s total. At present, the company has a vice-like 66 percent share of the CNG market. Maruti Suzuki, which completely pulled out of the diesel car market in April 2020, has seen the vacuum being filled by demand for its CNG models. The company, which has all of 13 models (Alto K10, Baleno, Brezza, Celerio, Dzire, Eeco, Ertiga, Grand Vitara, S-Presso, Swift, Wagon R, XL6, and the Fronx), understandably, has a tight grip on the market.
Tata: Nearly 64,000 CNG cars, SUVs sold
Tata Motors, the third most popular carmaker by sales, places second in terms of CNG sales. Tata sold a total of 63,993 CNG cars and SUVs in CY2023, and has already achieved 85 percent of that total with its H1 2024 retails of 54,545 units, up 222 percent (H1 2023: 16,940 units). Its current CNG market share stands at 22.51 percent – more than double its 10.41 percent share in H1 2023.
The company entered the CNG market with the Tiago hatchback and Tigor sedan in January 2022 and has gone on to hugely benefit from the rollout of new CNG models like the Tata Punch CNG compact SUV, which was Tata Motors’ response to the introduction of the Hyundai Exter CNG compact SUV. In early February 2024, Tata Motors launched the Tiago and Tigor CNG AMT, which has added more ‘ammo’ to the CNG portfolio. Now, the company has confirmed plans to introduce the Nexon CNG, which was showcased at the Bharat Mobility Expo in January, this fiscal year.
Hyundai: Over 24,000 CNG cars, SUVs sold
Hyundai Motor India, which has three models – Aura, Grand i10 Nios and Exter – has sold 24,427 units, up 5 percent on year-ago sales of 23,348 units. In CY2023, Hyundai had sold a total of 50,108 units.
Toyota: Over 4,000 CNG cars, SUVs sold
Toyota Kirloskar Motor’s CNG passenger vehicle portfolio has recently expanded to four models with the Taisor joining the Glanza hatchback, Urban Cruiser Hyryder SUV and the Rumion MPV. Toyota had sold 2,852 CNG models in the first half of last year (6,553 units in 2023). The brand has retailed 4,009 units in H1 2024, which is an increase of 49 percent year-on-year.
Hormazd Sorabjee
Sahil Kukreja
