The meteoric rise in the number of vehicles on Indian roads can largely be attributed to the introduction of a bevy of new and low-cost vehicles, light on the wallet to run and cheap to maintain.
Although virtually every luxury car manufacturer worth naming has set up shop in India, the majority of the population in our fast-developing country is still reliant on these inexpensive machines for their daily commutes.
With the competition being what it is in this cut-throat segment, separating the superstars from the also-rans can prove to be a daunting task. Below, we list the five bestselling vehicles under the Rs 5 lakh mark.
1.) Maruti Suzuki Alto: Having sold more than 30 lakh units since its introduction, the Alto is the direct successor of the legend that was the Maruti 800.
Yes, the very vehicle that put millions of Indians in their first driver’s seats.
The Alto is still going strong, time and again outselling every other car in the current market.
Last month Maruti Suzuki sold 16,583 units of the Alto, almost a thousand units more than the second-bestselling car in India, the Swift.
2.) Maruti Suzuki Wagon R: With its tall-boy looks, the Wagon R brought about a paradigm shift of sorts when it was introduced in the Indian market more than a decade and a half ago.
Although it initially looked a bit quirky among the raft of squat hatchbacks that was all the rage back then, Indians quickly grew to love its roomy interior and tried and tested reliability. No wonder the Wagon R still tastes good success on the sales charts.
The car sold 15,323 units last month, putting it in second place in our list.
3.) Renault Kwid: One of the newest kids in this list, the Renault Kwid has impressed everyone with its butch design and bevy of features.
Resembling a shrunken-down SUV more than a hatchback, the Kwid has little detracting from it, which is why it has racked up such sterling sales figures since its launch.
Last month the Kwid sold 9795 units, which is an even more commendable feat considering Renault India’s less widespread dealer network in the country when compared to the Maruti Suzuki.
4.) Maruti Suzuki Celerio: Like its two siblings in this list, the Celerio too has managed to bring in good numbers for Maruti Suzuki.
It has good equipment, reliable engine options and ample of space, factors that have an impact on the buying decisions.
Bolstered by Maruti Suzuki’s massive dealer network and after-sales support, the Celerio has proved to be another home run for India’s largest carmaker, selling 8,548 units in April 2016.
5.) Hyundai Eon: The original brawler that took the fight to the king of the segment that is the Alto, the Eon boasted one of the most radical and stylish designs when it was launched.
It still remains a competitive choice in this class, helped by its peppy and frugal engine and a host of segment-first features.
The Korean carmaker sold 5417 units of the Eon last month, putting it fifth on our list of the bestselling cars under Rs 5 lakh.
