Overview of Off-road SUV Segment in India
In the Indian market, car buyers are showing a growing preference for compact SUVs. Amidst this trend, the off-road SUV segment is also gaining momentum. Although Maruti Suzuki sells the most cars in India, some of its models aren’t performing well in certain segments. One such segment is the off-road car segment where Maruti’s new Jimny SUV is lagging behind.
Maruti Jimny vs Mahindra Thar
Maruti launched the 5-door off-roader Jimny SUV in June 2023. The company positioned it against rival robust cars like Mahindra Thar and Force Gurkha. In the budget off-roader segment, the Maruti Jimny is the only car offering five doors, while the Mahindra Thar and Force Gurkha offer only two passenger door seats. In terms of features, Jimny comes with more practical features in its segment. Despite the company offering discounts up to INR 1.5 lakh to boost sales, the sales did not increase.
Mahindra Thar’s Dominance in Off-road Car Segment
In the off-road car segment, Mahindra Thar has seen a significant increase in popularity in recent years. Many variants of Thar have a waiting period of 12 to 13 months. Since its launch in 2020, the new generation Mahindra Thar has been the number one off-roader SUV. In January 2024, the company recorded its highest ever sales of 6,059 units of Thar. On the other hand, Maruti Jimny recorded its lowest ever sales with 163 units. In December 2023, Jimny sold 730 units.
Thar’s Popularity and Engine Specifications
According to some media reports, people don’t like the look and design of the Maruti Jimny, while the Mahindra Thar offers a much superior visual appeal compared to Jimny. Its road presence is also quite good compared to Jimny. It is also larger in size compared to Jimny. Mahindra Thar is also benefitting from the fan following developed by its older models.
- Off-road SUV segment is gaining popularity in India, with Mahindra Thar leading the sector.
- Maruti’s Jimny is struggling to compete with Mahindra Thar and Force Gurkha.
- Mahindra Thar has seen a significant increase in its popularity with a waiting period of up to 13 months for some variants.
- People prefer the look and design of Mahindra Thar over Maruti Jimny.
