India’s car market is buzzing with new launches and record sales, but this vibrant picture has a quieter, overlooked side. While bestsellers fly off the lots, a handful of models languish, completely failing to connect with buyers. In a striking snapshot of the market’s harsh realities, three particular cars failed to register a single sale in September 2025.
This zero-sales club highlights the critical challenges of pricing, brand perception, and shifting consumer trends. Let’s examine the models that were left on the sidelines.
Kia EV9
Launched with significant fanfare in October 2024, the Kia EV9 entered the market as a statement of intent. Priced at a premium Rs. 1.30 crore (ex-showroom), this flagship SUV faces a steep uphill battle. Its primary hurdle is its import status. Being a Completely Built Unit (CBU), it attracts hefty taxes, which drastically inflates its showroom price.
For most consumers spending over a crore rupees, the natural choice leans towards established luxury marques like Mercedes-Benz, BMW, or Audi. While the EV9 is technologically impressive, boasting a 99.8 kWh battery and a claimed 561 km range, it struggles to overcome the weight of the Kia badge in this ultra-luxury segment. Its zero-sales month is a stark reminder that in the high-stakes luxury game, brand prestige is often as important as the product itself.
Maruti Suzuki Ciaz
The story of the Maruti Suzuki Ciaz is one of a phasing-out model. The company officially discontinued the Ciaz in April 2025, ceasing production the previous March. The zero-sales figure for September doesn’t signal a new failure, but rather the final clearing of old inventory.
The Ciaz, launched in 2014, was once a formidable contender in the mid-size sedan segment. Its 2018 facelift helped maintain its appeal for a time. However, the unstoppable consumer shift towards SUVs gradually eroded the sedan’s market share. Despite its renowned reliability and fuel efficiency, the Ciaz couldn’t reverse the broader industry trend, leading to its eventual discontinuation. Its absence from the sales chart simply marks the end of its long journey.
Citroën C5 Aircross
The Citroën C5 Aircross represents the profound difficulties a new brand can face in a crowded market. Launched in India in 2021, this SUV was Citroën’s flagship offering. However, it was hampered by two significant challenges from the start: an extremely limited sales and service network and a feature list that fell short of segment benchmarks.
The mid-size SUV segment in India is arguably the most competitive, dominated by giants like the Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos. To succeed here, a product needs to be either feature-packed, aggressively priced, or backed by a widespread service network. The C5 Aircross, with its unique suspension and design, failed to tick these critical boxes for the average Indian buyer. Its zero-sales performance underscores that without a strong brand presence and a compelling value proposition, even capable products can become invisible to consumers.
The Takeaway for Car Buyers
For potential car buyers, these stories are more than just trivia. They highlight the importance of considering long-term factors like resale value, brand stability, and the availability of service centers. While a discounted discontinued model or a niche imported EV might seem tempting, these zero-sales figures serve as a cautionary tale about the challenges of owning a vehicle that the market has largely rejected.
