Be it entry-level hatchback lovers or luxury sports car enthusiasts, with a variety of products offered across segments, the Indian passenger car market has a little something for everyone. But despite a large diversity of brands in the market, only a few are actually able to make it to the best-sellers list, ruling over a chunk of market share like a king. And with Onam marking the onset of the great Indian festive season, August proved to be another banger for the market as a whole, with total sales increasing by about 10% as compared to the same month last year. Maruti Suzuki ruled the charts yet again. Here’s what the best-selling car brand list looks like at the end of August 2023.
Car Brand | Units Sold in August 2023 | Units Sold in August 2022 | Y-O-Y Growth in Percentage |
Maruti Suzuki | 1,56,114 | 1,34,166 | 16.4 |
Hyundai | 53,830 | 49,510 | 8.7 |
Tata Motors | 45,515 | 47,170 | -3.5 |
Mahindra | 37,270 | 29,472 | 26.5 |
Toyota | 20,970 | 14,959 | 40.2 |
Kia | 19,219 | 22,322 | -13.9 |
Honda | 7,880 | 7,769 | 1.4 |
Skoda | 4,307 | 4,222 | 2 |
Morris Garages | 4,185 | 3,823 | 9.5 |
Volkswagen | 4,174 | 2,057 | 102.9 |
Maruti Suzuki
Topping the chart every month, it seems as if Maruti Suzuki is unbeatable. Standing tall as India’s largest car maker both in terms of sales and volume, Maruti has been ruling over a huge chunk of the market for decades. For over 40 years, Maruti has stuck a chord with millions of happy customers with cars that are revered for their exceptional value-for-money quotient and best-in-class mileage.
With 17 cars offered across the NEXA and Arena platforms, Maruti Suzuki managed to sell a massive 1,56,114 units in August 2023, which translated to a commendable 16.4% growth over the 1,34,166 units the brand sold in the same month last year. With a lion’s share of 43.3% of the market, Maruti Suzuki proudly retained its top spot yet again. The sheer scale of Maruti’s Success in India can be gauged by the fact that even the next three carmakers combined have not yet been able to match the brand’s numbers. A true leader in every sense, Maruti Suzuki cars also dominated eight out of the ten spots in the list of this month’s best-selling cars.
Hyundai Motors
Offering a variety of products across segments, Hyundai Cars are known for their impressive looks, exciting engines and feature-rich offerings. Revered as India’s second-largest manufacturer, Hyundai performed fairly well this month with aggregate sales of 53,830 units translating to an impressive year-on-year growth of 8.7%. In terms of market share, Hyundai managed to secure a decent 14.9% of the market.
There is no denying the fact that popular offerings like the Hyundai Creta, Verna and i20 are already playing a crucial role in the brand’s success story in India. But recent launches such as the Hyundai Exter have also managed to give a much-required push to Hyundai’s aggregate sales. With an inventory consisting of 11 vehicles across segments, Hyundai is all set to witness another successful year ahead, with several upcoming launches lined up.
Tata Motors
India’s indigenous carmaker known for its impeccable build quality, capable engines, top-tier safety and unmatched reliability, Tata Motors has come a long way to emerge as a brand in which the entire nation takes pride. Ever since Tiago’s launch in 2026, Tata’s new-age vision has helped the brand evolve into an unparalleled powerhouse that is giving a tough time to both national and international carmakers.
With an inventory led by popular cars such as the Nexon, Safari, and Harrier, Tata has managed to dominate both the ICE as well as the EV segment, with as many as three all-electric offerings. Achieving aggregate sales of 45,515 units, the carmaker despite registering a year-on-year decline of 3.5%, still managed to rule over 12.6% of the entire market. With seven equally capable products in its inventory, Tata Motors proudly became India’s third-best-selling car brand. And now with the Tata Nexon Facelift finally unveiled, the future surely looks bright.
Mahindra
While the philosophy of reinvention has taken the industry by storm when it comes to playing on one’s strength, no one does it better than Mahindra. With a glorious legacy that has given India some of the most iconic cars, when it comes to the SUV segment, Mahindra knows it all. Home to cult classics such as the Bolero, Thar and Safari along with exciting new additions such as the ScorpioN, Mahindra has even entered the EV segment with a bang.
Selling 37,270 units in August 2023, Mahindra reported an impressive year-on-year growth of 26.5% over the 29,472 units the brand sold in the same month last year. With an inventory comprising ten highly capable and tough SUVs, Mahindra captured 10.3% of the market, carving a niche for itself as it continues to shine.
Toyota
With cars that are known to clock in lakhs of kilometres without breaking a sweat, Toyota is a name that has been in the game for ages. Timeless reliability, exciting performance and robust build quality, Toyota cars are known to outlast even their owners. With icons such as the Innova and Fortuner up its sleeve, the carmaker’s recent partnership with Maruti, along with the launch of the new Innova Hycross, has pushed the brand’s overall presence and popularity in India.
Selling an aggregate of 20,970 units in the month of August 2023, Toyota registered a huge 40.2% growth over the 14,959 units the carmaker managed to sell in the same month last year. With this, Toyota captured 5.8% of the market share with an inventory that offers nine great products across segments, including a premium MPV and a pickup truck as well.
Kia
With the all-new Kia Seltos facelift adding a breath of fresh air to the segment, Kia is busy enjoying a fresh wave of popularity. Entering India back in 2019, Kia has quickly managed to make an indelible mark in the market. Emerging as one of India’s best carmakers in a short span of time, despite Kia’s limited five-car inventory, the carmaker’s smart integration of exciting driving dynamics, top-notch technology and sporty looks, has given the carmaker, a rather distinct identity.
In the month of August 2023, the carmaker managed to sell an aggregate of 19,219 units despite a 13.9% decline in terms of year-on-year growth. Nonetheless, with offerings like the affordably hot Sonet, the brand captured 5.3% of the market, with a strong future ahead of it thanks to products such as the Carens, Seltos and even the EV6. And now that the festive season has arrived, expectations are high.
Honda
A name that is globally respected for its unparalleled R&D, industry-leading engines and ever-evolving innovations, Honda rules over a glorious legacy of over two decades in India.
Despite the stringent emission norms greatly trimming the carmaker’s inventory, offerings such as the Honda City, Honda City Hybrid and the Honda Amaze, continue to steer the brand forward.
And now that the Honda Elevate has finally launched, it seems as if Honda is in for a well-deserved spurt of popularity with good numbers on the board in the upcoming months. As for August 2023, the carmaker performed fairly well with 7,880 units sold, with 1.4% year-on-year growth. Capturing a decent 2.2% of the market, Honda made its presence felt.
Skoda
If it’s good-looking, premium, luxurious and extremely fun to drive, chances are you are driving a Skoda. Despite a limited inventory of four cars across the SUV and sedan segment, the Czech automaker still managed to become one of India’s best-selling brands this month, thanks to the Kushaq and Slavia. Selling 4,307 units in August 2023, the carmaker, registered a 2% year-on-year growth, capturing 1.2% of the market. However, the brand has still got a lot to do, especially when it comes to diversifying its inventory.
Morris Garages
Another name that is rather new to the Indian market, MG despite being only a couple of years old, has impressed millions with its spacious, dynamic and practical cars. Making a steady name for itself, the British carmaker has come a long way since its debut, carefully playing every move with offerings that are here to stay.
With an inventory that comprises six capable and tech-loaded vehicles, MG’s recent upgrade of the Hector, and the launch of the Comet EV, have made the brand the centre of attention. Managing to sell 4,185 units in August 2023, the brand registered a good year-on-year growth of 9.5% over the 3,823 units it sold in the same month last year. Ruling over 1.2% of the market, the brand’s future in India looks bright.
Volkswagen
The German carmaker that is globally revered for its intriguing legacy, and top-class engineering, Volkswagen made a rocking entry into the best-seller’s chart with 4,174 units in August 2023. But what’s actually surprising is the unparalleled 102.9% year-on-year growth the brand has managed to clock in. With a market share of 1.2%, Volkswagen, despite its limited inventory consisting of the Taigun, Tiguan and Virtus, Volkswagen performed fairly well. But with that said, considering that the brand has lost the charm it once commanded, a few new launch
