Maruti Sets Record, Hyundai Sees 20% Growth

Maruti Suzuki India expects record sales on Dhanteras, aiming to cross 50,000 units, while Hyundai Motor India reported a 20% year-on-year increase with about 14,000 units sold.

This year, Dhanteras spans two days—Saturday and Sunday—like last year. Many buyers hesitate to purchase on Saturday, but Maruti anticipates around 41,000 deliveries today, said Senior Executive Officer Partho Banerjee. He added another 10,000 hesitant customers are expected to take deliveries on Sunday, pushing total sales beyond 50,000 units. The company’s production team is working even on holidays to meet demand.

Maruti’s previous highest Dhanteras sales were 41,500 units last year. Banerjee attributed the surge to the “GST 2.0 magic,” which is driving customers to showrooms, with some locations struggling to keep up with bookings and deliveries.

Hyundai Motor India’s MD & CEO Designate Tarun Garg echoed the strong demand, forecasting about 14,000 deliveries—20% higher than last year. He cited festive spirit, a buoyant market, and GST reforms as key factors.

Since Navratri, Maruti has seen strong traction, averaging nearly 14,000 daily bookings. After a price reduction on September 18, bookings hit 4.5 lakh in a month, with small car bookings nearing one lakh. Retail sales reached 3.25 lakh units in that period.

In consumer electronics, Panasonic Life Solutions noted a 36% 4K TV sales rise, especially in 55-inch and above TVs, expecting 30% growth across TVs and air conditioners compared to last Dhanteras. Haier Appliances expects over 50% growth, boosted by GST duty cuts on premium products like large-screen TVs, refrigerators, and washing machines.

Tanishq reported strong demand for gold jewellery and coins, with purchases ranging from investment pieces over Rs 2 lakh to lightweight jewellery. The festive season has been strong across metros and smaller towns alike.