Diesel car sales in India on the rise: Increase 11% in Q1 2024

SUV & crossover body styles dominate the diesel car sales, with Scorpio being the top-selling model

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Q1 2024: Diesel car sales grew by 11% in the BS6-RDE emission phase

• Diesel car sales remained stable during the BS6-RDE period, increasing by 11% in the first quarter of 2024
• In Q1 2024, diesel cars still make up 17.3% of the Indian market.

• Mahindra (54%), followed by Hyundai-Kia (24%), are the largest diesel car makers in India.
• Jeep diesel engine supply accounts for 7% of the market, with Tata and MG using 2L diesel engines in their Harrier, Safari, and MG Hector models.

• SUV and crossover body styles dominate diesel car sales.
• Diesel is still the preferred choice in large SUVs and crossovers.

Here's what GTO had to say on the matter:

And for these heavy SUVs / MPVs, diesel only makes a lot of sense. Giving you an example of my Thar. On the highway, I get an average FE of 8 km/l and have to visit the petrol pump every 300 km. On the other hand, the Thar diesel with excellent refinement levels & decent power delivery will visit the pump every 600 km (or higher). There is a 100% difference in the cruising range!

EVs aren't going to be applicable to big SUVs & MPVs yet as they will be too heavy, and charging their massive batteries will take too long. Hybrids are a formidable competitor, as the Innova Hycross has shown. But other than Toyota, no other SUV / MUV player has invested in hybrid tech for India.

Here's what BHPian ssoni.1411 had to say on the matter:

I would pick a Diesel engine any day due to its low-end torque, excellent fuel efficiency and driving pleasure. As rightly pointed out, people who wanted a diesel hatch had to shop a segment higher. Also, OEMs are constantly offering discounts to move their stocks and hence buyers are getting really good deals and no stress on waiting periods as well, barring the Creta to an extent, thus contributing to the growth.

Here's what BHPian greenhorn had to say on the matter:

In my opinion, at least a few of those must be buyers who would have otherwise bought a hatch, but had to switch because the diesel hatch segment is practically dead

Here's what BHPian ex-innova-guy had to say on the matter:

Lovely to see Citroen contributing to the diesel sales after selling 1 C5 Aircross in the whole of Q1 2024.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.