MG Astor's poor show continues. No match for Creta, Seltos, Grand Vitara, Hyryder

MG Astor's poor show continues. No match for Creta, Seltos, Grand Vitara, Hyryder

In a segment dominated by the likes of the Hyundai Creta, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, Kia Seltos and Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder, the MG Astor has failed to make a mark, as witnessed by the volumes it has posted in the past two years.

The Astor was launched in India in October 2021. The mid-size SUV clocked wholesales of 8,734 units in FY22, according to data from the industry body Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM). The volumes jumped to 15,601 units in FY23. However, they slipped to 10,569 units in FY24.

If we consider the MG Astor's performance in two previous fiscals, it was the lowest selling model in the mid-size SUV segment in FY23 and FY24. The vehicle sold fewer units than the Skoda Kushaq and the Volkswagen Taigun, which are themselves not major volume churners in the mid-size SUV segment.

Mid-size SUV volumes in FY23

Mid-size SUV volumes in FY24

Source - SIAM

The Astor has not started even FY25 on a great scale with combined volumes of just 2,010 units in April and May, in comparison to 30,109 units of the Creta, 17,387 units of the Grand Vitara, 13,470 units of the Seltos, 10,269 units of the Urban Cruiser Hyryder, 3,319 units of the Taigun, 3,284 units of the Elevate and 2,315 units of the Kushaq.

Reasons for MG Astor's lacklustre performance

Although the mid-size SUV segment witnesses high volumes, it is a highly competitive space. According to industry experts, the arrival of new models like the Grand Vitara, Hyryder and Elevate, has impacted the Astor's volumes.

During the pandemic, like all other original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), MG Motor India also faced semiconductor supply constraints. This, in turn, hurt Astor's production.

The experts are of the view that MG Motor India's link to China's SAIC Motor hit the sales of the Astor and other models of the company.

While SAIC Motor earlier held a 100% stake in MG Motor India, the Chinese firm announced a strategic joint venture with Indian conglomerate JSW Group in November 2023. Under the pact, JSW Group acquired a 35% stake in newly-formed JSW MG Motor India.

MG Astor specs and price

The MG Astor has a couple of engine options -- 1.5-litre NA petrol (110PS and 144Nm) and 1.4-litre turbo petrol (140PS and 220Nm). The NA petrol unit gets 5-speed MT and CVT choices, while the turbo petrol unit only has a 6-speed AT.

• Length - 4,323mm
• Width - 1,809mm
• Height - 1,650mm
• Wheelbase - 2,585mm

The MG Astor price starts at Rs 9.98 lakh and goes up to Rs 18.28 lakh (ex-showroom).