Maruti Swift sales drop 4 percent in November year on year

Despite the launch of the new-gen Swift in May, sales last month were lower than the previous-gen model’s; even the larger Baleno outsold the new hatchback.

Published On Dec 11, 2024 08:00:00 AM

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The fourth-gen Maruti Swift doesn’t seem to be making waves in the market like its predecessors. Launched this May and offered with discounts just two months later, the new Swift's numbers are less than its predecessor during the same period last year. In fact, it is lesser than even the larger, more premium Baleno.

Swift wholesales in November were 14,737 units, down 4 percent
Baleno November wholesales hit 16,293 units, a 26 percent increase
Wagon R and Alto K10 sales down 16 percent and 8 percent, respectively

New Maruti Swift vs old Swift sales

New Swift vs old Swift sales June-November
Month	2024	2023	Change (%)
June	16,422	15,955	2.93
July	16,854	17,896	-5.82
August	12,844	18,653	-31.14
September	16,241	14,703	10.46
October	17,539	20,598	-14.85
November	14,737	15,311	-3.75
MONTHLY AVERAGE	15,773	17,186	-8.22

During November, wholesales of the Maruti Swift stood at 14,737 units, which is a 4 percent decrease over the same period last year (15,311 units). It should be noted that at the time, the third-gen's facelift was approaching the end of its life cycle and averaged monthly wholesales of 17,186 units in the June-November period. The fourth-gen hatchback averaged 15,773 units over the same six-month period. While the sales table does show there was interest initially, it seems to have petered out.

Maruti Swift vs Baleno sales

Maruti Swift vs Baleno sales June-November
Month	Swift	Baleno
June	16,422	14,895
July	16,854	9,309
August	12,844	12,485
September	16,241	14,292
October	17,539	16,082
November	14,737	16,293
MONTHLY AVERAGE	15,773	13,893

Maruti’s premium hatchback, the Baleno, has outsold the Swift in November 2024, with wholesales of 16,293 units, a significant 26 percent increase over last November, and a 1.3 percent rise over October’s wholesales. However, it still lags behind the Swift in terms of monthly average (13,893 units in the June-November period).

The Baleno does offer more than the Swift for not much more money. With the fourth-gen model, prices of the Swift – Rs 6.49 lakh-9.45 lakh – increased to the point where there is a significant overlap with the Baleno (Rs 6.66 lakh-9.83 lakh). The Baleno is larger overall, offers more room on the inside and has a longer equipment list. Further, its 90hp 1.2-litre four-cylinder engine offers more performance and refinement than the Swift’s new 82hp 1.2-litre three-cylinder unit. The latter's engine dilutes the smaller hatchback’s image of being a fun, sporty drive. Finally, buyers likely prefer the more premium Nexa ownership experience that comes with the Baleno.

Hatchbacks sales continue to decline

Popular hatchback sales in November
	Maruti Wagon R	Maruti Alto K10	Hyundai Grand i10 Nios
2024	13,982	7,497	5,667
2023	16,567	8,076	4,708
Change (%)	-16	-4	20

Another reason for the less-than-stellar sales of the Swift could be the overall decline of the hatchback segment. Market share of hatchbacks has shrunk in favour of SUVs, and popular Maruti models like the Wagon R and Alto K10 also saw a year-on-year decline in monthly wholesales of 16 percent and 8 percent, respectively. Hyundai’s Grand i10 Nios is the only hatchback other than the Baleno to post an increase in November sales.

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Also see:

Nexon, Brezza, Fronx make up 30 percent of top 10 bestsellers in November

Maruti Swift discounts increase in December 2024

Maruti Grand Vitara gets up to Rs 1.85 lakh year end discount