Hello friends,
The auto industry is always an exciting space, where numbers tell stories of success, challenges, and what’s next for automakers. November 2024 has been no different for Nissan and Renault. The two manufacturers experienced mixed results last month, with Renault showing a significant year-on-year (YoY) growth while both brands faced month-on-month (MoM) sales declines. Let’s dive into how their popular models like the Magnite, Triber, Kiger, and Kwid performed.
Nissan India: A Mixed Bag in November
For Nissan, November wasn’t entirely smooth. After a strong festive October, sales fell by 5% compared to the same month last year. The much-loved Nissan Magnite, which has carved a niche in the sub-compact SUV segment, witnessed a decline. It sold 2,342 units in November 2024 compared to 2,454 units in November 2023, showing a 5% drop YoY. However, the bigger worry comes from the sharp MoM decline—sales were down by 25% compared to the 3,119 units sold in October 2024.
Adding to Nissan’s challenges is the underperformance of its premium SUV, the Nissan X-Trail. The reintroduced model, which hit the market in September 2024 after an eight-year gap, seems to have struggled due to its high pricing as a completely built unit (CBU). Sales have fallen to zero in November after just two units were sold in October.
To shake things up, Nissan plans to revise the pricing of its star performer, the Magnite. Although the facelifted version launched recently came with exciting updates in features and safety, it retained its earlier pricing. Now, prices are expected to increase by 2-5%, though the timeline for this adjustment hasn’t been revealed yet.
Renault India: A Tale of Growth and Setbacks
Renault, on the other hand, brought some good news despite facing similar challenges with MoM declines. The brand posted an impressive 15% YoY growth, with 2,811 units sold in November 2024 compared to 2,452 units in November 2023. However, like Nissan, Renault couldn’t sustain the momentum from the festive rush in October. MoM sales dropped by 27% compared to 3,870 units sold the previous month.
Among Renault’s lineup, the Renault Triber emerged as the top performer. The compact MPV recorded 1,486 unit sales, growing by 13% YoY from 1,312 units sold in November 2023. However, the month-on-month comparison was less rosy, with a 30% drop from 2,111 units sold in October 2024.
The Renault Kiger, a stylish sub-compact SUV, also showed YoY growth with 779 units sold in November 2024, up by 47% from 530 units in November 2023. But here too, MoM sales were a letdown, falling from 1,053 units sold in October.
Unfortunately, the compact and budget-friendly Renault Kwid faced setbacks on both fronts. It sold only 546 units in November, marking a 10% YoY decline from 610 units in November 2023 and a 23% MoM drop from 706 units in October 2024.
Renault has exciting plans to revamp its portfolio. A new Kwid EV is on the cards, though its launch is slated for 2026. Additionally, the company is gearing up to launch the 2025 Renault Duster, which has already started testing in India. The SUV is expected to hit the market next year, offering a fresh option for enthusiasts of rugged, reliable vehicles.
A Shift in Festive and Year-End Trends
The November sales dip isn’t unique to Nissan and Renault. It’s a pattern seen across the Indian auto industry this year. After a strong festive October, where consumers rush to make purchases, November tends to see a slowdown. Buyers often hold back toward the end of the year, anticipating price hikes or new launches in the coming months.
Adding to the challenges, most automakers, including Nissan and Renault, have already announced price increases from early 2025. This could explain the cautious consumer sentiment despite automakers pushing attractive offers.
What Lies Ahead for Nissan and Renault?
Looking forward, both Nissan and Renault have exciting opportunities to bounce back. For Nissan, the Magnite facelift could regain its foothold, especially if the price hike doesn’t impact demand significantly. On the other hand, Renault’s lineup looks promising with the upcoming Duster and the potential of the Kwid EV.
For now, November 2024 has been a reminder that the auto market, while dynamic and resilient, requires constant innovation and adaptation to consumer behavior. Whether you’re a fan of Nissan’s Magnite or Renault’s versatile Triber, the next few months promise to bring even more excitement to the roads. Stay tuned!