March 2025 witnessed a remarkable surge in the Indian auto market, with wholesale sales of new vehicles increasing by 4.5% year-on-year to reach a new monthly record of 385,842 units. Cumulatively, sales for the first quarter stood at 1,168,071 units, marking a 2.9% year-on-year growth and a new quarterly high.

◎ Maruti Suzuki retained its leadership position but saw a slight decline in market share to 39.1%.

◎ Hyundai Creta emerged as the top-selling model with 18,059 units sold.

◎ Skoda's new Kylaq recorded a staggering 164.9% growth, selling 7,422 units in a month, setting a brand record.

◎ Chinese brand MG reported a consistent 18.4% sales growth.

In this article, we delve into the latest developments in the Indian auto market, offering insights into market trends, brand and model sales, and the competitive landscape, presented by Chi Energy Tech.

01

Indian Auto Market Sales Overview

● In March 2025, Indian wholesale sales of new vehicles hit 385,842 units, up 4.5% year-on-year, setting a March sales record for the fifth straight year. The market remains resilient despite global economic fluctuations.

● First-quarter cumulative sales reached 1,168,071 units, up 2.9% year-on-year, setting a new benchmark.

This growth is fueled by both the persistent demand for new vehicles and automakers' proactive strategies, including new model launches and promotional campaigns, underscoring India's potential as a significant global auto market.

The Indian government has been encouraging the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrids through tax incentives and charging infrastructure development. However, gasoline vehicles continue to dominate due to their cost-effectiveness and established infrastructure.

● Key brand sales performances in the Indian market in March 2025:

◎ Maruti Suzuki: Sold 150,743 units, down 1.3% year-on-year, with market share slipping from 41.5% to 39.1%, retaining the top spot.

◎ Hyundai: Sold 51,820 units, down 2.2% year-on-year, capturing 13.4% of the market, reclaiming the second position.

◎ Tata: Sold 51,616 units, up 3.0% year-on-year, securing 13.4% market share, rising to third place.

◎ Mahindra: Sold 48,048 units, up 18.3% year-on-year, with a 12.5% market share, ranking fourth.

◎ Toyota: Sold 28,373 units, up 13.0% year-on-year, accounting for 7.4% of the market.

◎ Kia: Sold 25,507 units, up 19.2% year-on-year, holding 6.6% of the market.

◎ Skoda: Sold 7,422 units, up 164.9% year-on-year, with a 1.9% market share, setting a brand record and ranking seventh.

◎ MG: Sold 5,501 units, up 18.4% year-on-year, capturing 1.4% of the market, ranking ninth.

◎ Honda (+2.2%) and Volkswagen (+0.3%) showed stable performances, while Renault (-32.6%) and Nissan (-7.5%) experienced declines.

● The notable Chinese brand in the Indian market is MG, under SAIC Motor.

◎ In March, MG sold 5,501 units, up 18.4% year-on-year, securing ninth place with a 1.4% market share. Its growth is attributed to the competitiveness of its SUV and EV lines, such as the well-regarded MG ZS EV.

02

Model Sales and Competitive Landscape Analysis

● The top ten models in the Indian market in March 2025 exhibited intense competition, with a narrow sales gap of just 1,693 units between the first and seventh positions. Here are the detailed rankings:

◎ Hyundai Creta: 18,059 units, up 9.7% year-on-year, clinching the monthly sales crown for the fourth time.

◎ Maruti Suzuki Swift: 17,746 units, up 12.8% year-on-year.

◎ Tata Punch: 17,714 units, up 1.0% year-on-year.

◎ Maruti Suzuki Wagon R: 17,175 units, up 4.9% year-on-year.

◎ Maruti Suzuki Ertiga: 16,804 units, up 12.9% year-on-year.

◎ Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza: 16,546 units, up 13.2% year-on-year.

◎ Tata Nexon: 16,366 units, up 16.4% year-on-year.

◎ Maruti Suzuki DZire: 15,460 units, down 2.7% year-on-year.

◎ Mahindra Scorpio: 13,913 units, down 8.2% year-on-year.

◎ Maruti Suzuki Fronx: 13,669 units, up 9.1% year-on-year.

◎ Models like Mahindra XUV300/3X0 (+240.5%), Thar (+47.7%), and Tata Tiago (+24.5%) performed exceptionally well, indicating strong consumer preference for SUVs and compact models.

● The Indian auto market presents a diverse competitive landscape:

◎ Maruti Suzuki: Despite a decline in market share, models like Swift, Wagon R, and Ertiga continue to dominate sales charts, maintaining its market leadership.

◎ Hyundai: The success of Creta has solidified its position in the SUV segment, boosting the brand's overall ranking.

◎ Tata: The popularity of Punch and Nexon underscores its competitiveness in the compact SUV market.

◎ Mahindra: The robust performance of its SUV lineup (Scorpio, XUV300/3X0, Thar) has fueled the brand's high growth rate.

◎ Skoda: The new Kylaq sold 5,327 units, accounting for 72% of the brand's total sales, pushing Skoda to new heights and underscoring the potential of new models.

◎ Chinese brand MG: Although not among the top ten models, its SUV and EV offerings have performed well in niche markets, demonstrating a significant level of competitiveness.

The Indian auto market is transitioning from being dominated by a single brand to a more diversified landscape, where the successful introduction of new models has become crucial for brands to gain a competitive edge.

Summary

In March 2025, the Indian auto market set a new benchmark with wholesale sales of 385,842 units. Hyundai Creta and Skoda Kylaq stood out with remarkable performances, while the Chinese brand MG demonstrated steady growth.