Tata Motors has surpassed close competitor Hyundai to become India's second-largest passenger car manufacturer, after only top player Maruti Suzuki.
Tata Motors delivered 43,341 vehicles to domestic dealerships in May 2022, including 3,454 electric Nexon SUVs and Tigor small sedans. Hyundai shipped 42,293 units (it exported 8,970 units) but attributed the lower wholesale sales to a "planned biennial maintenance downtime" that reduced plant output by six days. Maruti's monthly sales totaled 1.24 lakh vehicles.
Tata has surpassed Hyundai in monthly sales for the second time in six months, the previous being in December 2021, as demand for its models such as the Nexon and Punch SUVs continues strong.
The shift in leadership occurs while the larger car sector continues to suffer from manufacturing difficulties caused by a semiconductor shortage. However, firms like Maruti Suzuki have reported solid demand for automobiles and SUVs.
In May 2022, Mahindra sold 26,904 units, while Kia Motors sold 18,718 units, Toyota 10,216 units, and Honda Cars 8,188 units.
Shailesh Chandra, head of Tata Motors' passenger vehicles business unit (including electrics), stated that demand for the company's products remained strong across the board, including the Altroz hatchback and luxury SUVs Safari and Harrier.
He stated that while the firm recorded its highest-ever domestic wholesale volumes, the bookings are significantly larger. "We have a pending delivery backlog that is around 3.5-4 times what we dispatch to dealerships weekly."
Tata Motors, according to Chandra, is now the largest SUV seller, ahead of Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, and Mahindra & Mahindra.
Maruti's sales for the month totaled 1.24 lakh units, and its Director (Marketing & Sales), Shashank Srivastava, stated that customer purchases were strong. "While the prognosis for demand is optimistic, there are worries about several variables, including the revival of Covid, the impact of commodity price increases and inflation, gasoline prices, and higher financing rates."