The kind of cars that India drives has changed significantly

The Indian car market has faced multiple disruptions in the last three years on account of changing regulations and multiple waves of Covid-19.

The need for personal mobility has given rise to strong demand for cars, but the kind of cars that India drives today has significantly changed. A strong shift towards SUVs versus hatchbacks and sedans has meant that the market share for the leader Maruti Suzuki is diminishing but it continues to be a leader by some distance.

A strong portfolio of SUVs drove homegrown Tata Motors to more than double its market share, whereas the newbie Kia has swiftly risen through the ranks to grab a top-five position.

Hyundai is facing pressure from Tata Motors for the number 2 spot, whereas Mahindra is making a smart comeback with the new Thar and XUV700.