Life-style SUV phase to develop with Maruti’s Jimny

Life-style SUVs are a distinct segment phase in India. There are solely 5 fashions — Mahindra Thar and Power Gurkha (compact), Jeep Compass and Meridian (midsize), and Isuzu V-Cross (premium) — with complete gross sales of about 60,000 models in 2022 (knowledge from the Society of Indian Car Producers and carmakers). 

These so-called way of life SUVs fashioned nearly 2% of the full passenger car gross sales of three.5 million in 2022.

Of those 60,000-odd models, the Thar took a lion’s share with over 45,000 unit gross sales, and the Compass and the Meridian with over 10,000 models bought.

Nevertheless, with the launch of the Maruti Suzuki Jimny (anticipated in March-April), this area of interest phase will develop three-fold to go above 150,000 models, carmakers and automotive analysts advised FE.

Shashank Srivastava, senior government officer, advertising & gross sales, Maruti Suzuki India, advised FE that with the launch of the Jimny, this phase will develop considerably, and quick. “The goal purchaser for the Jimny is the life-style buyer,” he stated. “There are a rising variety of consumers who need autos that may be pushed in all terrains, who wish to flaunt their standing with particular autos, and who’re more and more exploring locations that aren’t simply accessible by different vehicles. The Jimny fulfils all such wants.”

Though there isn’t a structured definition of ‘way of life SUVs’, carmakers outline these as SUVs which are used for journey and exploration, fulfill the necessity of exploring locations that aren’t simply accessible by different vehicles, have a 4×4 driving capacity, will be customised closely to go well with a purchaser’s must flaunt, and have a sturdy construct high quality that retains the person comfy even in tough terrains.

Srivastava stated way of life SUV clients are within the age group of 26-45, have an emotional join with their car, and the car is normally an extra buy within the household. “The Jimny, nevertheless, will likely be each the primary buy and the extra buy,” he stated. “Not like another way of life SUVs, we’re providing 5 doorways.”

Gaurav Vangaal, affiliate director, gentle car forecasting, S&P World Mobility, advised FE that every time Maruti Suzuki enters a brand new automobile phase, it will increase the general dimension of the phase. “We’ve got already seen it with the Vitara Brezza,” Vangaal stated. “In 2016, the Vitara Brezza was the second sub-4 metre SUV to be launched in India (after the Ford EcoSport in 2012). Virtually instantly the sub-4 metre SUV phase took off, with Honda launching the WR-V and Tata launching the Nexon in 2017, Mahindra XUV300 and Hyundai Venue in 2019, Kia Sonet, Toyota City Cruiser and Nissan Magnite in 2020, and Renault Kiger in 2021.”

He added that the identical will occur with the Jimny. “The approach to life SUV phase, which was about 60,000-unit robust in 2022 (with the Thar as the foremost participant), will develop considerably with the Jimny,” Vangaal stated. “Folks belief the Maruti Suzuki model and it has an enormous attain countrywide.”

Som Kapoor, EY India Automotive, Way forward for Mobility chief (consulting), and companion, advised FE that way of life SUVs are a really quick rising phase in India. “With increasingly more youthful and concrete clients shopping for vehicles, I believe there’s a enormous potential for this phase,” Kapoor stated. “There’s a large buyer join with way of life SUVs, particularly those that wish to personalise the SUV, need connectivity and a whole lot of expertise on the dashboard. In addition they need their car to face out they usually desire distinctive exterior design touches. Life-style SUVs meet all such wants.”

Whereas the Jimny is predicted to outsell the Thar in 2023, an automotive analyst advised FE that Mahindra is rethinking the Thar. “A downside of the Thar is that it’s a three-door SUV, and a few households are likely to steer clear of three-door SUVs due to the inconvenience in getting out and in of the second row seat. The Jimny is a five-door SUV and can clearly meet the wants of households as effectively,” he stated. “However Mahindra is quickly anticipated to return with a five-door Thar. The carmaker received’t simply give its lead away.”