Gujarat: SUVs fuel surge in diesel car sales to 42% in FY24

At a time when there is a greater push for phasing out diesel cars owing to pollution control norms, Gujarat’s sales numbers paint a contrary picture.

Data by the Union ministry of road transport and highways suggests that 1.76 lakh diesel cars were sold in FY 2024, an increase of 42%, as compared to 1.24 lakh in FY 2023. 

Meanwhile, petrol car sales dramatically declined to 1.62 lakh, down 10% against 1.79 lakh units during the same period.

According to car dealers, the jump in diesel car sales is primarily driven by the escalating demand for SUVs which are largely diesel.

Diesel cars account for 39.2% of the total passenger vehicles retailed in Gujarat during the last financial year. 

The demand for diesel variants have surpassed petrol variants, which account for about 36% of the total sales.

56% growth in sales of CNG cars in FY24Interestingly, petrol vehicle sales have suffered a sudden 9.75% drop in sales. 

On the other hand, a significant chunk of petrol car sales has been eaten away due to EV and CNG counterparts. 

Moreover, the erosion in demand for entry-level cars has led to a significant decline in petrol car sales.

According to data by the Union ministry of road transport and highways, some 1.04 lakh CNG cars were sold during FY 2024 in Gujarat.

This means CNG cars command 23.1% of the total car sales. In fact, the variant posted a 56% growth in sales during the fiscal year as compared to 66,817 CNG cars sold in FY 2023.