When it comes to the automobile industry, consumer expectations and choices is a dynamic factors. With each passing year, several factors affect consumer choices that tend to favour a particular segment, fuel and transmission option and even OEMs sometimes, leaving out others totally ignored. And ever since the compact SUV segment has taken over the market, it seems as if the former most preferred segment of Sedans is now being totally ignored, and here’s why:
The Number Game
- While most of the previous year went down in COVID lockdown, there were a few quarters that saw a good number of sales. One such quarter was the Q3 (July to September), where vehicles sales around the nation picked up the pace.
- Taking an example of Q3, it can be seen that the sales of SUVs outnumbered the cumulative sales of sedans as well as hatches. For the first time in the Indian market, Q3 showed a clear fondness of the market towards SUVs.
- According to the data sourced via SIAM, SUVs sold a total of 87,720 units in Q3, while the total number of hatchbacks and sedans sold together were 64,235 units. And not just Q3, even in Q2, where SUVs sold 3, 67,457 units, while aggregate sales of hatches and sedans stood at 3, 43,939Checkout: 10 Sedans You Can Buy For Under 10 LakhMust Read: 10 Reasons Why Sedans Are The True Underdogs
The Why of Sedan Ignorance
- While sedans are indeed one of the best car segments when it comes to overall comfort and luxury, over the years the charm of a sedan has reduced owing to a simple fact, that SUVs have become more and more affordable.
- Comparing an SUV head-on with a sedan, things like a higher commanding view of the road, wider and more spacious cabin, bigger and more powerful engines, and an affordable price tag is what drive the consumers towards SUVs that are budgeted similar to sedans.
- Another reason behind the ignorance of sedans is the fact that those consumers who are bothered by cramped parking spaces, congested roads, and too much traffic often prefer to buy a compact hatchback to ease their driving experience. While on the other hand, those who aren’t bothered by these factors go in for a larger-than-life experience that SUVs fully cater to. This leaves the sedan segment sitting in the middle, for generally the executive/business class or working professionals who prefer a chauffeur-driven and comfortable ride.
- The only place where Sedans still hold a dominant position is the luxury market that caters to specialized premium sedan buyers and where brands like Audi, Mercedes, BMW, etc. innovate mostly in the sedan segment. For a regular buyer, spending a little more to bring home an SUV that can accommodate the whole family seems to be a better choice considering the fact that SUVs are now substantially affordable and diverse ranging from Rs. 10 lakhs to 1 Crore. Also Read: After Sedans, The SUV Segment Now Overtakes Hatchbacks! Check this out: 10 Most Fuel Efficient (Best Mileage) Sedans In India 2021
With all factors combined, it seems as if the Indian consumer sentiment is moving away from sedans. Will the segment re-emerge or not is a thing yet to be seen. Till then, stay pinned to the GoMechanic blog for everything automotive.
