SUVs continue their dominant streak as the vehicle of choice across demographics. They have come to account for a 43 percent year-on-year traffic increase across all sub-segments, according to a statement by CarDekho.com.  
Released with an eye on the festive season of 2024, the statement takes a look at the pre-festive season traffic trends across various sub-segments of the four-wheel passenger vehicle industry during the period April-September. 
With SUVs dominating, the statement reads that 58 models are available in the respective segment. Stating that more models are scheduled to be launched in FY2024-25, it underlines the broad range of fuel and engine type combinations, catering to diverse consumer needs and providing tailored options to suit varying preferences.
In the April-September 2024 period, the mass SUV segment led the growth in the automotive market, registering a strong 43 percent year-over-year (YoY) increase in traffic. Its contribution to overall traffic on the platform rose from 50 percent to 63 percent, making it the most dominant body type. 
While all SUV sub-segments displayed significant growth, the compact SUVs (sub-four-metre) sub-segment led the charge in the SUV segment with 37 percent year-on-year growth, increasing their traffic contribution from 32 percent to 38 percent. 
Interesting is the rise in prices of hatchbacks in the Indian market with their average selling price getting close to the average selling price of SUVs. 
This is said to be one of the factors that is leading to a switch to SUVs. With executive SUVs witnessing the highest growth within the SUV category at 47 percent year-on-year increase (their share is rising from 15 percent to 19 percent respectively), the demand for SUVs is expected to rise steadily over the short and mid-term as existing as well as new infrastructure quality continues to be a matter of concern. The quality of infrastructure looks inversely proportional to the rise in toll tax ironically across highways and city roads. 
The midsize SUV sub-segment also performed well with a 31 percent year-on-year increase, as per the CarDekho.com statement.

Mass hatchback segment
In the mass hatchback segment, traffic grew by 28 percent year-on-year, driven largely by premium hatchbacks that make up 86 percent of the total traffic in the respective category. 
Premium hatchbacks experienced a 31 percent year-on-year growth, while mini hatchbacks grew by 20 percent. The micro hatchbacks saw a 22 percent decline in traffic (this includes cars like the Marut Alto).
With a shift in consumer interest away from smaller, ultra-compact vehicles evident, it is the SUVs that seem to benefit from rather than sedans. 
The sedans showed the lowest growth among all body types with an 18 percent year-on-year increase, maintaining a consistent 15 percent share of overall traffic. Despite this, the premium sedan segment saw a significant 65 percent year-on-year growth even though it is driven by just one model. The sub-segment’s contribution remains at only one percent of total site traffic.
“The continued growth of the SUV segment reflects a strong and evolving consumer preference within the automotive industry. SUVs have become the vehicle of choice for a wide range of buyers due to their versatility, enhanced driving comfort, and ability to meet the diverse needs of Indian consumers. Compact SUVs, in particular, have gained significant traction, offering the perfect combination of practicality and performance. As we see this segment expand, it's driving healthy competition, promoting innovation, and ultimately offering a wider range of choices to the Indian consumer. This surge signals a maturing market where consumers are increasingly discerning, pushing the industry to elevate its game across design, features, and value proposition,” said Mayank Jain, CEO, New Auto (CarDekho Group).

Luxury autos
On the luxury brand side, the CarDekho.com statement reads, that traffic rose by 17 percent year-on-year across all model pages. Although luxury vehicles continue to garner interest, their share of total traffic remains relatively low compared to mass market segments, it mentioned.

Image for representative purpose only
 

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Nissan Motor India (NMIPL), in partnership with Vibrant Nissan, reached a significant sales milestone by delivering 100 units of the all-new Nissan Gravite in a single day in Hyderabad.

The mass delivery event, held at Le Palais Royal Crown Villa Garden on 22 April 2026, the company said, highlights the strong market reception for the Gravite following its recent entry into the mid-size SUV segment.

The Nissan Gravite is positioned as a versatile family vehicle, featuring a bold design language and a focus on cabin flexibility. The successful delivery of 100 units underscores rising customer confidence in Nissan's refreshed product portfolio, which is currently anchored by the long-standing success of the Nissan Magnite and now bolstered by the Gravite's premium features and safety package.

With an expanding dealer network and a renewed focus on the Indian market, Nissan is entering a new phase of growth. The Gravite's performance in high-potential markets like Hyderabad is seen as a key indicator of the brand's ability to compete in the highly contested SUV categories.

"The 100 Gravite delivery milestone reflects growing demand for Nissan Motor India and rising customer confidence in the all-new Nissan Gravite. Backed by the Gravite’s bold design, spacious and flexible cabin, strong safety package, Nissan’s expanding network and the continued strong run of the Nissan Magnite, the company is entering a new phase of growth in India," said the company in a statement.

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US-based electric vehicle maker Tesla India has launched the Model Y L, an all-new 6-seater SUV, at the Ballard Pier Downtown Experience Centre in Mumbai at prices starting INR 6.19 million.

Positioned as a versatile family vehicle, the Model Y L features an extended wheelbase and a three-row configuration. Online orders are open as of 22 April 2026, with the first deliveries scheduled to commence in June 2026.

The Model Y L is designed to maximise utility, offering a unique 2+2+2 seating layout.

• Second Row: Features individual captain seats with powered armrests, one-touch folding, ventilation and heating.
• Third Row: Equipped with power recline, one-touch folding and dedicated vented climate control.
• Cargo Space: Provides a massive storage capacity of up to 2,539 litres with seats folded.

The Model Y L is integrated into the broader Model Y lineup, offering a balance of range and acceleration. The Premium RWD (5-seater) with 500km range came at INR 5.98 million, L Premium AWD (6-seater) at INR 6.19 million and the Premium LR RWD (5-seater) at INR 6.78 million.

The EV features a refined chassis with adaptive suspension and electronic damping to filter road vibrations. For a premium cabin experience, it includes acoustic glass and an 18-speaker immersive Tesla Audio system.

Furthermore, as part of its focus on driving adoption of the green vehicles, Tesla continues to build its ecosystem in India to support new and existing owners:

At present, Tesla operates 5 Supercharger stations (20 Superchargers) and plans to add 7 more along major highways connecting Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and other key cities.

Existing service centres in Mumbai, Gurugram, Delhi and Pune are being augmented this quarter with new locations in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai and Ahmedabad.

The Model Y L will be available for public viewing from 23 April 2026 at Tesla locations in BKC (Mumbai), Aerocity (Delhi) and Orchid Business Park (Gurugram).

Monthly financing for the Model Y L starts at INR 49,000, and the EV supports the full suite of Tesla connected features, including live traffic visualisation and integrated streaming services like Spotify and Netflix.

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Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM), one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has marked Earth Day 2026 by providing an update on its progress toward the Toyota Environmental Challenge 2050.

The company has reported significant milestones in manufacturing decarbonisation, water stewardship, and logistics efficiency, aiming to achieve carbon-neutral manufacturing operations by 2035.

Toyota Kirloskar Motor has focused on eliminating its environmental footprint across its production and supply chain through several key initiatives:

Renewable Energy: For the 5th consecutive year, Toyota Kirloskar Motor’s manufacturing facilities have utilised 100 percent renewable grid electricity, effectively eliminating all Scope 2 emissions.

Logistics Decarbonisation: The company has shifted 24 percent of its vehicle logistics to rail transport, reducing emissions per vehicle from 185 kg to 175 kg. Additionally, the pilot of electric trucks for short-distance transport has resulted in an annual reduction of approximately 950 CO2 emission.

Water & Waste Management: Approximately 89 percent of water requirements are currently met through recycling and rainwater harvesting. The company also maintains a Zero Waste-to-Landfill status, with a recycling rate of over 96 percent.

Aligned with India’s energy landscape, Toyota Kirloskar Motor is pursuing a multi-pathway approach to clean mobility. This includes active pilot projects for Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEV) and Electrified Flex-Fuel Vehicles (FFV-SHEV) to reduce dependence on energy imports and leverage domestic resources.

On-site, TKM’s Green Wave Project has successfully sequestered 8,118 CO2-emission through afforestation, supporting over 650 plant species. The company's Ecozone, a 25-acre experiential learning centre, has trained over 62,000 students to date, fostering environmental awareness in the next generation.

B Padmanabha, Executive Vice-President of Manufacturing, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said, “On Earth Day 2026, Toyota Kirloskar Motor proudly reinforces its commitment to ‘Our Power, Our Planet,’ advancing a carbon‑neutral future by embedding sustainability into every aspect of our products, operations, and partnerships. Since 2021, our manufacturing facilities have been powered entirely by renewable grid electricity, eliminating Scope 2 emissions for five consecutive years and demonstrating that industrial growth and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand.”

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European automaker Renault India has announced that its all-new Renault Duster SUV has achieved a 5-star safety rating from the Bharat New Car Assessment Programme (BNCAP).

The results apply across the vehicle's entire range, including the 1.0-litre and 1.3-litre turbo-petrol variants. The SUV scored 30.49 out of 32 for Adult Occupant Protection (AOP) and 45 out of 49 for Child Occupant Protection (COP).

The rating is based on crash tests conducted on the Evolution, Techno and Iconic trims.

Built on the new RGMP platform, the Duster was engineered to meet structural integrity targets for various crash scenarios. Standard safety equipment across all variants includes six airbags, Electronic Stability Program (ESP) and ISOFIX child seat anchors. The vehicle also features Level 2 Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), providing 17 active safety functions such as autonomous emergency braking and lane keep assist.

The Duster, which launched in the Indian market last month with a starting price of INR 1.04 million (ex-showroom), is the first Renault model in India to offer this level of automated safety technology. The SUV is backed by a 7-year warranty, positioning it as a highly competitive entry in the mid-size segment against rivals like the Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos.

Francisco Hidalgo-Marques, VP, Sales & Marketing, Renault Group India, said, “Since the moment of its reveal, the Duster has appealed to Indian customers with its strong SUV design, outstanding ride and handling, and confident performance. With this latest achievement, the Duster now also makes a compelling case for rational buyers combining one of the best fuel efficiency figures in the segment with a 5-star BNCAP safety rating for adult and child occupant protection, and the added reassurance of a best in-market 7-year warranty.”

Dr. V Vikraman, Chief of Renault Engineering, India, added, “This result is rooted in engineering execution on the ground. The Duster was subjected to extensive simulations, physical crash tests, and system-level validations, with a strong focus on real-world Indian driving conditions. From body structure performance to restraint calibration and electronic safety systems, every element was engineered, tested and refined to work together. The 5-star BNCAP rating reflects the rigour of that end-to-end engineering and validation process.”

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