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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Renault India, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has announced its domestic wholesales of 3,399 units in September 2026, down 20 percent YoY, as compared to 4,265 units a year ago.

For YTD (January to September 2026), the company recorded domestic sales of 35,378 units, marking a 36.6 percent increase compared to 25,886 units sold during the corresponding period in 2025.

During September, the company resumed exports to Sri Lanka through a partnership with AMW Motors, expanding its international distribution footprint to 16 countries. The initial shipment of 100 units from Chennai included the Triber, Kwid, and Kiger models.

Renault also recently introduced the Triber 100PS, built on the Renault Group Entry Platform (RGEP). The vehicle features a seven-seat layout and a turbocharged powertrain, with prices starting from INR 784,000 ex-showroom. As part of its future strategy, the company plans to introduce the Duster strong hybrid E-Tech 160 on 17 October 2026.

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Maruti Suzuki India, the country’s largest passenger vehicle manufacturer, has announced its wholesales of 236,013 units in September 2026, up 24 percent YoY, as compared to 189,665 units sold last year.

In the domestic passenger vehicle segment, total sales reached 181,838 units in September 2026, up from 132,820 units last year.

Passenger car models – comprising the Alto, Baleno, Celerio, Ciaz, Dzire, Ignis, S-Presso, Swift and WagonR – accounted for 91,887 units, compared to 74,090 units in September 2025.

SUVs, including the Brezza, Ertiga, eVitara, Fronx, Grand Vitara, Invicto, Jimny, Victoris and XL6, reached 78,911 units, up from 48,695 units. Sales of the Eeco van came at 11,040 units against 10,035 units in the year-ago period.

In commercial and supply operations, Super Carry light commercial vehicle sales stood at 3,414 units for the month, compared to 2,891 units in September 2025.

Supplies to other OEMs came at 6,542 units, down from 11,750 units YoY, bringing total domestic sales including LCVs and OEM supplies to 191,794 units compared to 147,461 units in September 2025. Export sales rose to 44,219 units from 42,204 units.

For the first half of the financial year 2026–27 (April to September), Maruti Suzuki recorded cumulative total sales of 1.37 million units, up from 1.07 million units a year ago.

 Cumulative domestic passenger vehicle sales reached 1.08 million units, while total domestic sales including commercial vehicles and OEM supplies reached 1.14 million units. Total exports for the six-month period stood at 232,855 units, compared to 207,459 units in the previous financial year.

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Honda Cars India, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has opened pre-launch bookings for the updated Honda Elevate SUV ahead of its scheduled launch on 6 October 2026.

Customers can reserve the SUV at authorised dealerships across India with a booking amount of INR 21,000.

India serves as the initial market for the release of the updated model, which incorporates revisions to exterior styling, interior appointments and equipment specifications.

Kunal Behl, Vice-President of Marketing and Sales, Honda Cars India, said, "The Honda Elevate has established a strong position among SUV buyers in India, appreciated for its bold design, road presence, driving pleasure, safety, space and comfort. With the new Elevate, we are taking this proposition further by introducing several strongly desired features and enhancements, along with a bolder design and more premium cabin experience. India is the lead market for the Elevate and we are proud to introduce the new Elevate first in India. As we open pre-launch bookings ahead of the festive season, we look forward to offering our customers an even more compelling Honda SUV and making their celebrations even more special."

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Mumbai-headquartered automotive major Mahindra & Mahindra has announced its wholesales for September 2026, selling 114,874 vehicles, up 15 percent YoY.

Last month, the company sold 64,092 SUVs in the domestic market, up 14 percent YoY, as compared to 56,233 units sold a year ago.

Commercial vehicle sales, including three-wheelers, came at 30,420 units, up 14 percent.

In terms of exports, the company saw a decline of 7 percent last month, with a total of 4,019 units shipped, as compared to 4,320 units a year ago.

Dr Velusamy R, President, Automotive Business, Mahindra & Mahindra, said, “In September, SUV sales clocked 64,092 units with a growth of 14 percent, and total vehicle sales stood at 114,874 units, a 15 percent YoY growth. Adding to this momentum, we are proud to have crossed the milestone of 100,000 units billing of our Electric Origin SUVs since launch.”

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