Launched in October 2021, Tata Motors' sub-compact SUV, Punch has become the fastest to cross 4 lakh sales milestone among SUVs, in around 34 months.
Ahead of its launch, the Punch received the coveted GNCAP 5-star rating with the highest adult occupant protection rating points achieved by any vehicle at that time. In August 2022, the Punch set a new benchmark in the industry, by becoming the first SUV to achieve the 1 lakh sales milestone in a span of just 10 months. Ever since, the journey to next 1 lakh has narrowed with the 2 lakh milestone being clocked in the next 9 months, shortly followed by the 3 lakh milestone in 7 months.
Furthermore, while the launch of the Punch iCNG in 2023 – First SUV with Tata Motors’ innovative twin-cylinder technology with a no compromise boot space, disrupted the market, the introduction of the Punch.ev in January 2024 boosted the sales even further by making it accessible to a larger customer base in multiple drivetrains.
Speaking on this accomplishment, Vivek Srivatsa, Chief Commercial Officer, Tata Passenger Electric Mobility, said, “With the Punch, we not only introduced the Indian market to a new sub-segment but also successfully democratised the SUV attributes by offering a comprehensive package in a compact footprint. We are elated that the Punch has resonated so well with the Indian consumers and has progressively found a loyal customer base, who have become its biggest brand ambassadors.”
Punch ICE (Internal Combustion Engine)
The sub-compact SUV segment witnessed exponential growth of 75 per cent year-on-year with Tata Punch leading the pack in FY24, capturing a dominant 68 per cent market share in this segment. Setting new benchmarks with features such as 90-degree door opening, electronic stability program as a standard feature in the subcompact SUV category, rain sensing wipers and the highest ground clearance of 187mm, the Punch stands out as the premier sub-compact SUV in the country today. The addition of the CNG variant further bolstered sales, contributing to 30 per cent incremental growth of the overall Punch brand.
Punch.ev (Electric Vehicle)
The Punch.ev has garnered significant attention from EV enthusiasts, contributing to an additional 15 per cent to the overall sales growth of the Punch brand. The Punch.ev is the first vehicle to be introduced on the pure EV architecture from Tata.ev – acti.ev (Advanced Connected Tech-Intelligent Electric Vehicle). This architecture allows the Punch.ev to combine the capability of long-range, exceptional performance, cutting-edge technology, and premium features typically found in higher segments. This is a product, which has helped dispel many myths about electric vehicles, with 21 per cent of its buyers being first-time car owners. The Punch.ev is the fastest EV to reach 13,000 sales and continues to thrive in markets where the Punch brand is already strong. Furthermore, it has played an important role in increasing EV Penetration in certain markets which are conventionally known to be driven by ICE models.
With a 17.7 per cent market share in the compact SUV segment, the Punch’s success is further evidenced by its position as the highest-selling vehicle across all segments (YTD FY25). Demonstrating a 27 per cent year-on-year increase in its sales for FY24, the Punch has been the top-selling SUV from January 2024 to June 2024. In terms of the overall sales, the Punch’s petrol variant contributes 53 per cent to the overall Punch sales, followed by 33 per cent by its CNG variant and 14 per cent by its EV variant (CY24).