Tata Punch Becomes India’s Best-Selling Car in 2024, Ending Maruti Suzuki’s Four-Decade Reign

For the first time in 40 years, a car not bearing the Maruti Suzuki logo emerged as India’s best-seller. Tata Motors’ micro- SUV, the Punch, topped the sales charts in 2024. Tata Motors sold over 2.02 lakh units of the Punch, surpassing Maruti Suzuki’s Wagon R, which recorded sales of 1.91 lakh units. Notably, three out of the top five best-selling cars in 2024 were SUVs. 

Launched in 2021, the Tata Punch established a new sub-segment in the sub-4 meter SUV category with its unique features: SUV-inspired styling, 190 mm ground clearance, upright stance, and commanding driver position, all within a compact 3.8-metre footprint. It quickly became a popular alternative to hatchbacks such as the Maruti Swift, consistently selling over 10,000 units per month since its early years. By 2024, it not only outsold its immediate rival, the Hyundai Exter, but also gained widespread acceptance as a reliable, affordable, and stylish option for Indian consumers.

India’s passenger vehicle (PV) market in 2024 reached a record high of 4.3 million units, driven by robust growth in the SUV segment and sustained demand for environmentally friendly powertrains. Maruti Suzuki, India’s largest automaker, experienced a shift in market dynamics. Once holding a dominant 52 per cent market share in 2018, the company’s share dropped to 41 per cent in 2024. The absence of competitive SUV offerings, particularly in the mass market segment above ₹10 lakh, has been a major factor impacting its performance. 

Historically, Maruti Suzuki cars like the Maruti 800, Alto, Dzire, Swift and Wagon R have consistently topped sales charts. However, evolving regulations (e.g., BS VI compliance, mandatory safety features) and changing consumer preferences have posed challenges for the automaker. In 2024, for the first time since 1985, a Maruti Suzuki model did not claim the title of India’s best-selling car. 

India’s automotive history has been dominated by long-standing leaders. In the post-independence era, Hindustan Motors’ Ambassador held the number one position for nearly three decades, followed by the Premier Padmini. In 1985, the Maruti 800 introduced a new era of modern, affordable cars, holding the top spot for years. Its successor, the Alto, remained India’s best-selling car for 13 years, setting a record with 3.11 lakh units sold in 2011. 

However, post-2018, stricter safety and emissions norms, combined with consumer preference for SUVs, reshaped the market. Maruti’s once-dominant hatchback portfolio started facing stiff competition from SUV-focused brands like Tata Motors, Hyundai, and Kia.