Tata Motors Overtakes Maruti Suzuki as India’s Top Car Seller After Four Decades

In a landmark achievement, Tata Motors has ended Maruti Suzuki's four-decade reign as India's car sales leader. The Tata Punch, a subcompact SUV, emerged as the top-selling car of 2024, with over 202,000 units sold, surpassing Maruti Suzuki’s Wagon R, which recorded 191,000 units.

This shift highlights the growing popularity of SUVs in India, with three of the top five selling cars in 2024 belonging to this segment. Maruti Suzuki’s Ertiga, the leading SUV in 2023, dropped to fourth place as consumer preferences increasingly leaned towards premium vehicles priced above ₹10 lakh.

Tata Motors capitalized on these trends, selling a record-breaking 565,000 units in 2024. Shailesh Chandra, Managing Director of Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles, attributed the success to the company’s strategic focus on expanding its SUV portfolio and offering vehicles across multiple powertrain options.

Maruti Suzuki, once commanding a 52% market share in 2018, now holds 41%, reflecting its struggle to adapt to changing consumer demands. Despite a strong presence in the affordable car segment, the company has lost ground in the premium and SUV categories, which saw significant growth in 2024.

The Indian automotive market achieved record sales of 42.86 lakh units in 2024, driven by a 19% growth in the SUV segment. Tata Motors’ ability to innovate and cater to evolving preferences has positioned it for continued success, while Maruti Suzuki faces mounting pressure to diversify and reclaim its dominance.

This milestone marks a new era for India’s car market, with Tata Motors setting a precedent for growth in the competitive automotive industry.