Top 10 Automotive Brands In India - Cars

Considered the fourth-largest in the world, the Indian automotive industry has come a long way since the 80s and 90s - from just a handful of brands to being spoiled for choices; we’ve seen it all! However, the continuously evolving consumer needs and challenging landscape has also seen a fair share of car manufacturers bite the dust, the best examples being Chevrolet, Fiat, Ford and more recently, Datsun. Where some iconic brands have quit India, we have also seen newcomers like Kia and MG taste success and grab a sizable market share in a relatively quick time.

From regulation changes issued by the government to the pandemic to global chip shortages, the automotive industry is plagued with challenges from all around. Constant changing trends require carmakers to actively adapt to new changes as and when they arrive, swapping spots on the list as they do so. 

For now, we take a look at the current top 10 car brands in India:

1. Maruti Suzuki

With a market share of more than 40 per cent, Maruti Suzuki India is the undisputed leader in terms of sales and market share in the Indian automotive industry. Known for offering budget-friendly vehicles which cater to the masses, the carmaker has over 19 vehicles in its portfolio split between two platforms: Nexa and Arena. While the premium models are retailed through the Nexa channel, the budget-friendly models are sold through the Arena platform. It has the largest network of dealers and service touchpoints, which further adds to the ownership experience. Maruti has given multiple hits which include the discontinued 800 and Gypsy, and some existing models like the Alto and Swift.

2. Hyundai

With its wide range of offerings and multiple service touch points across India, Hyundai is second only to Maruti when it comes to the top automotive manufacturers in India, with a market share of approximately 15 percent. The South Korean marque’s first car in India was the Santro which enjoyed a great stint and provided a strong base for the carmaker to build upon, before it was discontinued in 2014. Although it was revived back again in a new avatar in 2018, the carmaker pulled the plug on the hatch again recently. Currently, Hyundai has a host of different body styles across its portfolio. We have the Grand i10 Nios, i20, and i20 N Line (hatchbacks), Aura and Verna (sedans), and SUVs like the Venue, Creta, Tucson, and the 7-seater Alcazar. 

3. Tata Motors

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Known for having reliability issues in the past, Tata has turned around the narrative with new launches which include the Harrier, Altroz, and the Nexon in recent years. The Indian manufacturer is one of the first to embrace the shift towards EVs, with two electric vehicles on offer: the Nexon EV and Tiago EV. Tata has also showcased two new exciting EV concepts, Curvv and Avinya, which are expected to launch in the next 2-3 years. The carmaker actively revamps its models with new editions and updates to keep its lineup fresh. With a market share just short of 15 percent, Tata has been constantly bridging the gap between Hyundai to snatch the number two position. Apart from the two EVs on offer, its lineup includes SUVs like the Punch, Nexon, Harrier, and Safari, hatchbacks like Tiago and Altroz, and the Tigor compact sedan. 

4. Mahindra & Mahindra

The Indian manufacturer is known for making robust vehicles like the Scorpio and Bolero. With the help of new additions like the XUV700 and the Thar, Mahindra commands a market share of around 7 percent; squashing segment boundaries by offering feature-loaded products. The future too looks bright for the carmaker as it has given its hottest selling model, the Scorpio, a generational update that is likely to drive the sales for the carmaker in the coming days. Mahindra also has plans to introduce a series of dedicated EV models by 2025.

    Kia

It’s uncanny to witness a carmaker foray into a new market and dominate the sales charts almost instantly. That’s exactly what Kia has done since starting its journey in India in 2017. The key sales drivers for the carmaker have been the Seltos and the Sonet. Both these vehicles have helped Kia’s market share grow to about 6 percent. The South Korean marque currently has five vehicles in its lineup which include the Carens, Carnival (both MPVs), an all-electric crossover called the EV6, and SUVs such as the Seltos and Sonet.

6. Toyota

The Japanese manufacturer has been the go-to brand for people looking for long-term reliable cars in India. While Toyota has its legs in several segments, the Innova is the carmaker's torchbearer in India, helping it secure a market share of just over 5 percent. Currently the carmaker offers the Glanza and Urban Cruiser which are essentially rebadged versions of the Maruti Baleno and Vitara Brezza respectively, Innova Crysta and Vellfire (MPVs), Fortuner (SUV), Camry (sedan) and Hilux pickup truck.

7. Honda 

Honda cars in India have always been on the pricier side of the spectrum. But Honda fans also swear by its premium styling, features and driving dynamics. That hasn’t necessarily translated into sales, with the carmaker retailing about 3,000-odd units every month for a market share of roughly 2.5 percent. Honda currently has six models on sale - the fourth-gen City, fifth-gen City, City Hybrid, Amaze, Jazz and the HR-V.

8. Renault 

The French car manufacturer is known for offering budget-friendly products at a competitive price in India. Renault enjoyed its greatest innings with the Duster, but things haven’t been quite the same for the marque since its discontinuation. Currently, the carmaker has three offerings which include the Kwid, Kiger, and Triber. With no new additions lined up and no major revamps to its portfolio, the carmaker has seen its market share fall down to 2.5 percent from around 3.5 percent in 2017. We might see Renault take the cleaner route and bring the Kwid EV to our shores.

9. Skoda 

In the past, Skoda India has struggled to get a foothold in the Indian automotive market. That being said, with its India 2.0 Project, the carmaker has extensively revised its product offerings and services. The Slavia and Kushaq have been driving sales for the carmaker, giving it a much-needed second wind and a market share just short of 2 percent. Skoda’s remaining portfolio includes the Octavia, Kodiaq, and Superb which are positioned towards the premium side of the spectrum.

1. MG Motors India

Since its inception in 2017, the British manufacturer has been one of the top-selling brands in the utility vehicle segment, where sales were primarily driven by the Hector and the Astor – helping the brand garner almost 1 percent of the total market share. MG is gearing up for the shift towards electrification by bolstering the charging infrastructure throughout India in partnership with Bharat Petroleum. It already has an EV in its lineup of five cars which includes the ZS EV, and four SUVs namely the Hector, Hector Plus, Gloster, and Astor.