September 2021 was a challenging month for the Indian auto industry, as the global semiconductor (chip) shortage squeezed production and constrained supply. Despite this, Maruti Suzuki led the market. This guide ranks the top 25 selling cars in September 2021, with segment breakdowns and the unique context of that period.
September 2021: Market Overview
The chip shortage hit production hard, with many manufacturers — including Maruti — cutting output, creating long waiting periods. Even so, demand remained strong ahead of the festive season. Maruti dominated the best-sellers, while the Tata Nexon and Punch (newly launched) and Hyundai Creta led the SUV charge.
Top Sellers in September 2021 (Leaders)
1–5: Maruti Despite Constraints
The Maruti WagonR, Swift, Baleno, Alto, and Dzire led the charts, even as the chip shortage limited supply of higher-spec variants.
6–10: SUVs Rise
The Tata Nexon (best-selling SUV), Hyundai Creta, Maruti Ertiga, Hyundai Venue, and Kia Seltos featured strongly, reflecting the accelerating SUV trend.
Top 25 Selling Cars in September 2021 (Representative Ranking)
| Rank | Car | Segment |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maruti WagonR | Hatchback |
| 2 | Maruti Swift | Hatchback |
| 3 | Maruti Baleno | Premium Hatch |
| 4 | Maruti Alto | Hatchback |
| 5 | Maruti Dzire | Sedan |
| 6 | Tata Nexon | Compact SUV |
| 7 | Hyundai Creta | Mid-size SUV |
| 8 | Maruti Ertiga | MPV |
| 9 | Maruti Eeco | Van/MPV |
| 10 | Hyundai Venue | Sub-4m SUV |
| 11 | Kia Seltos | Mid-size SUV |
| 12 | Maruti Celerio | Hatchback |
| 13 | Tata Tiago | Hatchback |
| 14 | Hyundai i20 | Premium Hatch |
| 15 | Maruti S-Presso | Hatchback |
| 16 | Kia Sonet | Sub-4m SUV |
| 17 | Hyundai Grand i10 | Hatchback |
| 18 | Tata Altroz | Premium Hatch |
| 19 | Mahindra Bolero | SUV |
| 20 | Maruti Brezza (Vitara) | Compact SUV |
| 21 | Hyundai Aura | Sedan |
| 22 | Renault Kwid | Hatchback |
| 23 | Tata Punch (launch period) | Micro-SUV |
| 24 | Mahindra XUV700 (new) | SUV |
| 25 | Toyota Innova | MPV |
Representative ranking; the chip shortage caused significant month-to-month volatility in 2021.
What the September 2021 Numbers Tell Us
The month was defined by supply constraints rather than demand. Maruti retained leadership despite production cuts, SUVs continued rising, and new launches like the XUV700 generated huge interest. Waiting periods stretched across popular models due to the chip crunch.
Final Thoughts
The top 25 selling cars in September 2021 told a story of strong demand meeting constrained supply, with Maruti leading despite the chip shortage and SUVs steadily rising. The month captured a unique period when waiting lists, not buyer interest, defined the market.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Which was the top selling car in September 2021? Maruti Suzuki hatchbacks like the WagonR and Swift led, with Maruti dominating despite the chip shortage.
Q2. How did the chip shortage affect September 2021 sales? It constrained production, cutting supply and creating long waiting periods even as demand stayed strong.
Q3. Which SUV led September 2021? The Tata Nexon was the best-selling SUV, with the Hyundai Creta leading the mid-size segment.
Q4. Were there notable new launches? The Mahindra XUV700 generated strong demand, and the Tata Punch arrived around this period.
Q5. Did demand or supply drive the market? Demand was strong; the limiting factor was supply due to the semiconductor shortage.
