Tata Motors has registered a new production milestone with the Punch compact SUV that has now crossed the 6 lakh production milestone in less than four years of its launch in October 2021. The micro SUV has also become India’s fastest SUV to achieve this milestone, further building on its status as India’s favourite compact SUV.
The Punch bagged 6 lakh numbers in just 46 months, with nearly 13,000 numbers per month riding on the back of it. That makes it much quicker than the wider majority of rivals to the same sales volumes.
Breaking Maruti’s 40-Year Dominance
The Punch’s production success is not limited to numbers, however. In calendar year 2024, it became the best-selling car of the India in all segments, put an end to the four-decade reign of Maruti Suzuki as the top selling car manufacturer of the country. The Punch outshone conventional bestsellers such as the Maruti Wagon R and Ertiga, selling over 2,02,025 units in 2024.
This is the first time that there’s been a non-Maruti vehicle atop the annual car sales list of India since 1985.
Rapid Sales Trajectory
The Punch’s growth narrative sounds like this:
- 1 lakh units: Completed in August 2022 (in under 11 months)
- 2 lakh units: Attained in 20 months in May 2023
- 3 lakh units: Crossed in 26 months, in December 2023
- 4 lakh units: July 2024 (33 months) accomplished
- 5 lakh units: Attained in January 2025 (39 months)
- 6 lakh units: Achieved in July 2025 (46 months)
Market Leadership and Consumer Appeal
Punch as of now commands a segment share of 38% in sub-compact SUV for FY2025, with a YoY growth of 15%. The car contributes about 36% to Tata Motors’ total sales of passenger vehicles and it is expected to be the firm’s primary revenue generator.
Customer Demographics
The Punch has struck a chord with first-time car buyers and claims almost 70% of ICE Punch owners have entered the world of vehicle ownership for the first time. Customers are spread across the length and breadth of the country, which includes:
- Tier 1 cities: 24% of owners
- Tier 2 cities: 42% of owners
- Tier 3 towns: 34% of owners
Success in diverse city tiers, from the lower to the upper, underline that this mass-market machine continues to hold appeal.
Product Portfolio and Pricing
The Punch comes with several powertrain options to suit different customer requirements:
- Petrol version: From ₹6.13 lakh (ex-showroom)
- CNG model: Offered in a a few trims
- Electric variant (Punch.ev): Priced from ₹9.99 lakh (ex-showroom)
The electric version in particular has been popular with women, who constitute 25% of Punch. women driving adoption of the ev, which reinforces its universally coveted nature in the personal mobility arena.
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Safety and Recognition
The Punch in both ICE and EV trims also achieved the coveted 5-star rating for safety, although the 5-star rating for the ICE version came from Global NCAP, while the 5-star safety rating for the EV variant came from Bharat NCAP. This commitment to the complete safety supremacy has obviously played an important role in building customer trust and the car’s success in the market.
The Punch has also been awarded over 20 industry accolades for its design, safety, and overall excellence within the compact SUV segment.
‘India Ki SUV’ Campaign
Celebrating this remarkable milestone, Tata Motors has introduced the ‘India Ki SUV’ campaign, to celebrate the epic journey and its significant bonding with customers from various terrains. The campaign features the real-life stories of Punch owners and highlights the changing face of a bold, adventurous and self-reliant India.
Future Updates
In the future, Tata Motors will launch a mid-life facelift for the Punch in October 2025. The refreshed version is likely to borrow the design cues from the Punch EV mission concept and will feature improved grille, sleeker headlamps, refreshed bumpers and new LED DRL signatures.
Industry Impact
The Punch has been successful in India, and has changed the perception of the compact SUV segment, demonstrating that Safety, Design and Value can be combined in a very affordable package. Its elevation as India’s fastest SUV to clock 6 lakh sales indicates the increasing acceptance of SUV like vehicles, even in the entry level segment.
Vivek Srivatsa, Chief Commercial Officer, Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Ltd. said, “The 6 lakh sales milestone is not just a production achievement: it is a testament to the mass acceptance of the vehicle that has become a symbol of future-forward mobility in India… And it is not just love & affection. It is about trust and a vote for a cleaner tomorrow.”