Maruti resurrects lost grounds - market share stands at 49.8%

Maruti recorded 49.8% market share in the passenger car space in April-February (2013 April-2014 February), MSI (Maruti Suzuki India) recorded a growth in excess of 4%. The near 50% market share of the home grown automaker once again make it an undisputed leader. The company's top sale pullers are Alto, Swift and Swift Dzire, together they also compromises the pinnacle trio when it comes to automobile sales in the country. Alto sales stands at 2.32 lakh units, Swift recorded 1.79 lakh units while the Dzire sold 1.80 lakh units, in April-February period.

Mayank Pareek, Chief Operating Officer-Marketing and Sales, MSI, commented: "In the car segment, Maruti's market share is just short of 50% which is the highest in the last 4-5 years. We have gained 4.3% in this segment over last year and in 7 out of 11 months of this financial year, our market share has been nearly 50%. So far this fiscal, overall the car industry declined 4.6% but we are up 4.5%."

The sales are constantly increasing from the month of September last year, April-September recorded 48.4%, April-December market share stood at 49.3% nearly a percentage increase. April-January market share stats are 49.3%. This constant increase in market share can be related to the decline in customer preference towards diesel (courtesy - monthly increase in diesel prices). Pareek added: "In November 2012, diesel comprised 62% of all passenger vehicle sales while petrol was just 38%. This year diesel is down to 52% while petrol is up to 48%,” further stressing that "This decline in diesel has helped us.” Indeed majority of the vehicle in the MSI lineup offers only petrol variants.

According to Maruti, the economic slowdown hit the first time buyers, company's exchange program has witnessed a growth of 15% plus the manufacturer also recorded rural/small market growth of 14-15%. commenting on this Pareek said: “our exchange programs has shown a growth of 15% and together this mix of strategies- rural push,customized data-based marketing – has helped us gain market share in a segment crowded with 18 competitors.” Kudos to MSI!!

Source: TOI