Alto, S-Presso make remarkable comeback for Maruti Suzuki as sales jump 154% in April

Sales of the mini car segment for Maruti Suzuki India (MSIL), which comprises entry-level cars such as the Alto and S-Presso, made a remarkable comeback in April 2026.

The sharp jump in sales of these cars comes after the company's management expressed confidence in the growth of the small car market after a prolonged phase of listlessness. The management was concerned about the steep decline in small car sales due to reduced affordability for first-time buyers, driven by higher vehicle prices, stricter regulations, and rising ownership costs.

Maruti Suzuki India sold 16,066 units of Alto and S-Presso cars in April, marking a massive jump of 154% from 6,332 units sold in April last year.

Management in a concall post-earnings announcement said that it is heartening that rural India is integrating with urban India.

The country’s largest car maker said that first-time buyers at the end of the fourth quarter (Q4 FY26) surged to 51%, rising from 48% new buyers at the end of the third quarter.

“It is a very clear signal that the government's intended support to the first-time buyers is showing results,” Maruti Suzuki India said.

The company added that repeat purchases were at 18%, while 31% were additional car purchases.

Maruti Suzuki’s total sales came in at 2,39,646 units in April, a 33.29% year-on-year (YoY) growth, making a strong start to the new fiscal.

The company had sold a total of 1,79,791 units in the same month last year, Maruti Suzuki India said.

Domestic sales also reached an all-time high of 1,91,122 units in April compared to 1,42,053 units in the year-ago month.

"We are starting this year with a big bang. Small cars have contributed significantly to this growth," Maruti Suzuki India Senior Executive Officer, Marketing & Sales, Partho Banerjee told PTI.

The previous highest domestic sales registered by the company were in December 2025 at 1,82,165 units, he added.

"With 153% growth, it clearly shows that there is demand in the market and we are selling it," Banerjee said, adding that the segment would continue to grow unless there is a hike in petrol prices due to the West Asia war, which could have an impact on demand.

Its sales of the compact segment, which includes cars such as Baleno, Celerio, Ciaz, Dzire, Ignis, Swift and WagonR, advanced 30% to 80,659 units.

Another major car maker, Hyundai Motor India, reported a 17% year-on-year growth in domestic sales at 51,902 units in April 2026.

Domestic sales in April this year were the highest ever for the month since inception, Hyundai Motor India Ltd (HMIL) said in a statement.

Exports were at 13,708 units in April 2026, it added.

"We have opened the new financial year on a strong note, carrying forward the momentum built in recent months into April 2026," HMIL MD & CEO Tarun Garg said.

The company's compact SUV VENUE achieved its highest-ever monthly domestic sales of 12,420 units in April 2026, the statement said.