In the passenger vehicle export battle, Maruti Suzuki is giving a tough competition to Korean car manufacturer Hyundai Around the world, the automobile industry has suffered because of the COVID-19 lockdown. In India, the story is no different as the country’s automobile industry is struggling to make profits. In the domestic market, car manufacturers failed to create the same stronghold as they enjoyed before the lockdown in March 2020. However, Hyundai Motor India and Maruti Suzuki are enjoying a battle of their own in the passenger vehicle export segment. In the financial year 2020, Hyundai Motor India fought hard against Ford Motors and picked up the title of the best passenger vehicle exporter in India. In the financial year 2021, Maruti Suzuki is posing a threat to Hyundai’s title. At the time of drafting this article (18th March 2021), Maruti Suzuki is 8,791 units behind Hyundai while they were 14,200 units away from Hyundai in 2020 (April-December). From April 2020 till February 2021, Hyundai exported 93,321 passenger vehicles whereas, in the same period, Maruti Suzuki shipped 83,530 units. For Hyundai, the Verna and the new Creta have been the models most in demand. The Verna is a 5-seater sedan that is armed with a 1.5-litre engine, whereas the Creta is an SUV with a 1.5-litre engine that is available in numerous variants. For Maruti Suzuki, the S-Presso, Vitara Brezza and the Swift are the most loved and demanded models in other countries. The financial year 20/21 is going to end in 13 days and by the current pace of Maruti Suzuki, the country may have a new winner in the passenger vehicle export segment. Moving aside from the war between Hyundai and Maruti Suzuki, the third position is presently being held by Ford India, as the company has sold 43,442 units so far. Kia Motors India holds the fourth position as the Korean manufacturer has sold 35,803 units. Volkswagen India holds the fifth rank with 29,530 units sold, followed by General Motors India at 28,619 units. Last but not least, Nissan India is in the sixth position with 27,165 units sold so far. Although the industry is yet to regain its former glory, the numbers reflect that the industry slowly returning to its form of yesteryear.
