The information points out that MG Motor sold 15,930 Hectors from July to December, followed by Mahindra XUV 500's 6,962 units. While Tata Harrier and Jeep compass sold 5836 units and 3951 units respectively in the same months.
Hector's entry into the Indian market amid a rough patch as weak sentiments put the domestic market into millennium's worst decline, has not impacted its performance. MG Hector has been able to maintain momentum throughout the six months of its launch whereas its closest competitors like Tata Harrier seem to have completely fizzled out (see chart).
| Model | July | August | September | October | November | December | H2CY2019 |
| MG Hector | 1,508 | 2,018 | 2,608 | 3,536 | 3,239 | 3,021 | 15,930 |
| Mahindra XUV500 | 1,116 | 968 | 1,120 | 1,378 | 981 | 1,399 | 6,962 |
| Tata Harrier | 740 | 635 | 941 | 1,258 | 762 | 1,507 | 5,836 |
| Jeep Compass | 509 | 605 | 603 | 854 | 638 | 742 | 3,951 |
Source: Industry Data
In another interesting trend, MG Hector, which hit the market six months after Harrier, has overtaken Tata Motors new offering on the full-year sales too.
MG Motor Hector outsold Tata Motors Harrier by 654 units, despite its June 20 debut and the valid presence for only half of 2019. Tata Harrier had sold a total of 15,276 units since its January 21, launch, as per the industry data.
Petrol SUVs are gaining momentum which is reflected in the figures which show 42.20 per cent of Hector sold are petrol, 47.5 per cent are diesel and only 10.29 per cent is hybrid.~“What has helped MG Hector to emerge as a leader is it’s vibrant offering of diverse variants and multiple fuel options over its competition. It's the only brand which has an automatic, hybrid, petrol and diesel as an option for the customers. Apart from this, its's sheer road presence, bigger dimensions feel and new-age features like interned based sim-connectivity and panoramic sunroof gives Hector an edge over the competition,” said an industry expert.
Notably, petrol SUVs are gaining momentum which is reflected in the figures which show 42.20 per cent of Hector sold are petrol, 47.5 per cent are diesel and only 10.29 per cent is hybrid.
While the competition, Tata Harrier and Mahindra XUV500 come only in diesel. Jeep Compass is available in both petrol and diesel fuel options.
Another emerging trend is the customer’s preference to new-age technology over conventional, indicating the structural changes occurring in the market. It is clearly reflected in the swelling sales of the connected SUV's like the Hyundai Venue and Kia Seltos.
The competition will further intensify for the year 2020 with the new planned launches. With the entry of Citroen Aircross A5 along with Ford's new SUV offering based on the XUV500 platform.
In the meantime, we will also see MG and Tata Motors expanding their portfolio by bringing seven-seater versions of the Hector and Harrier soon. Possibly the curtains will be up during the upcoming Auto Expo in February, for the new variants.
