Tata Motors overtakes Hyundai to become second-biggest carmaker in December 2021; Maruti Suzuki leads the race

Tata Motors has overtaken Hyundai Motor India to become the second-largest seller of passenger vehicles (PV) in the domestic market in December 2021. Tata Motors' total PV sales stood at 35,299 units against 32,312 units by South Korean carmaker Hyundai Motor India.

Similarly, Maruti Suzuki remains the top carmaker in the country with 123,016 units sold in December 2021.

Tata Motors also became the carmaker for posting the highest-ever quarterly sales from October to December of 2021 with 99,002 units. Shailesh Chandra, President, Passenger Vehicles Business Unit, Tata Motors Ltd. said, “Tata Motors PV business growth journey continued and set several new milestones during the quarter despite witnessing a shortfall in production due to the ongoing semi-conductor crisis. Decade high quarterly and monthly sales- 99,002 units in Q3 FY22 (growth of 44% vs Q3 FY21) and 35,299 units in Dec’21 (growth of 50% vs Dec’20) were recorded."

"In addition, the company also posted calendar year sale of 3,31,178 units (CY21), highest-ever since the inception of the PV Business. The overwhelming market response to Tata Punch launched in Oct’21 is further boosting demand for the

company’s 'New Forever' range of cars and SUVs. Records were also created on the EV front as EV sales witnessed a new peak of 5,592 units in Q3 FY22 (growth of 345% vs Q3 FY21). Consequently, EV penetration touched 5.6% of PV Sales during the quarter versus 1.8% in the same period last financial year," he added.

"EV sales also touched 10,000 units in 9MFY22 and crossed 2,000 monthly sales landmark for the first-time in Dec’21 (2,255 units). The ever-increasing demand for Nexon EV and Tigor EV as well as progressive revival of the EV fleet segment were instrumental in driving this steep growth. Going forward, semi-conductor supplies will remain the key source of uncertainty," Chandra added.

He further mentioned that additionally, the impact of the new strain of Covid needs to be closely tracked. We will continue to work on business agility plan and take proactive actions to mitigate these risks.

On the other hand, Hyundai Motor India Director (Sales, Marketing and Service) Tarun Garg told to PTI: "We are entering 2022 with cautious optimism. There are more positives than negatives and we are looking to a better year with so much of the customer booking backlog. Besides, our product line-up is refreshed."

He noted that sales of the CNG trims also continue to increase year-on-year.

"While there are challenges in terms of Omicron but at the same time, there are so many things to look forward to," Garg said. Despite key component supply constraints, the automaker has managed challenges to ensure smooth deliveries of models, he added.