Which car model became only the second in India to cross the twenty five lakh (2.5 million) unit sales mark in the domestic market?

Difficulty: Medium

Correct Answer: Maruti Suzuki Alto

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
This question is from Indian business and automobile industry current affairs. It refers to a passenger car model that achieved a major sales milestone by becoming only the second vehicle in India to cross twenty five lakh units in cumulative domestic sales. Such achievements show which models have been especially popular with Indian customers over a long period.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • The focus is on the Indian domestic market.
  • The total sales figure passed is twenty five lakh units, or 2.5 million cars.
  • The car is only the second model to reach this milestone.
  • The options list popular entry level and compact cars sold in India.


Concept / Approach:
Maruti Suzuki has long dominated the Indian small car segment. The Maruti Suzuki Alto, including its variants, has been one of the best selling cars in the country for many years. News reports highlighted that the Alto became only the second car model in India to cross cumulative domestic sales of twenty five lakh units, following earlier high volume models. Other cars like the Swift, Santro, Indica and i10 have sold very well but did not reach this exact milestone at the same time referenced by the question.


Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify which of the listed models are small, affordable cars popular with first time buyers in India. Step 2: Recall that Maruti Suzuki Alto has consistently appeared at or near the top of monthly sales charts for many years. Step 3: Connect this strong performance with cumulative sales crossing twenty five lakh units. Step 4: Consider the other options: Swift is a larger premium hatchback, Santro and i10 are Hyundai models, and Indica is from Tata Motors. Step 5: While these cars are successful, milestone announcements published in financial news emphasised the Alto reaching the twenty five lakh unit mark. Step 6: Conclude that Maruti Suzuki Alto is the car model described in the question.


Verification / Alternative check:
If you look at automobile industry reports and press releases from the relevant period, you will find that Maruti Suzuki proudly announced the Alto achieving cumulative domestic sales of over twenty five lakh units, making it only the second model in India to do so. Comparisons with sales figures of Swift, Santro, Indica and i10 show that they did not cross this threshold at that time, confirming the Alto as the correct choice.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Maruti Suzuki Swift is a very popular hatchback but entered the market later and has a different sales profile than the Alto; it was not the second car to cross this landmark in the period referenced. Hyundai Santro enjoyed strong sales and brand recognition but did not reach the twenty five lakh domestic unit mark ahead of the Alto. Tata Indica, though significant as an early Indian designed hatchback, did not attain the same cumulative sales volume. Hyundai i10 is another successful compact car but its cumulative sales did not make it the second Indian model to cross the twenty five lakh mark.


Common Pitfalls:
Because several of these models have been visible on Indian roads for many years, students may guess based on personal observation rather than remembering the specific milestone from business news. The key is to recall that this particular record was widely associated with the Alto, underscoring the model's long term dominance in the entry level segment.


Final Answer:
The car model that became only the second in India to cross twenty five lakh domestic sales is the Maruti Suzuki Alto.

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