Quick Takeaways
- Indian passenger vehicle sales rose 8% year-on-year in January 2026, reaching 379,394 wholesale units.
- Retail volumes climbed 7.2%, with rural markets expanding 14.4% and boosting compact SUV demand.
Indian passenger vehicle sales recorded solid momentum in January 2026, reflecting sustained demand across both wholesale and retail channels. Total passenger vehicle wholesale January 2026 rose 8.0% year-on-year to 379,394 units, highlighting continued resilience in India auto industry sales despite shifting competitive dynamics and segment-level variations. Carmaker dispatch trends showed differentiated performance across OEMs, with robust growth from SUV-centric portfolios compensating for selective volume contractions in certain passenger car categories.
Maruti Suzuki January sales remained broadly stable, registering marginal year-on-year growth of 0.3%. In contrast, Tata Motors PV sales expanded sharply by 40.2%, representing one of the strongest growth trajectories among major OEMs during the month. Mahindra SUV sales increased 24.2%, underlining sustained demand for utility vehicle offerings. Hyundai India sales and Toyota Kirloskar sales recorded steady expansion, while Honda Cars India sales contracted 15.5% compared with the corresponding period last year. Kia India sales and MG Motor India sales also maintained positive growth momentum, reinforcing competitive intensity within the mid-size and compact SUV categories.
The sustained improvement in Indian passenger vehicle sales across both wholesale dispatches and PV retail sales January underscores balanced demand recovery across urban and rural ecosystems. With SUV-heavy product portfolios contributing incremental volumes and rural penetration deepening, India auto industry sales remain structurally supported as OEMs recalibrate capacity planning, distribution networks, and model strategies in response to evolving buyer preferences.
Indian Passenger Vehicle Sales: Wholesale Performance in January 2026
Based on automaker disclosures, passenger vehicle wholesale January 2026 volumes indicated broad-based expansion, particularly among manufacturers with strong SUV line-ups. While the market leader maintained near-flat volumes, several competing brands delivered double-digit gains, pointing to intensifying rivalry in the passenger vehicle segment and a structurally evolving demand mix.Brand-wise Wholesale Volumes
The available wholesale results for January 2026 are as follows:| Automaker | January 2026 Sales (Units) | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|
| Maruti Suzuki | 178,300 | +0.3% |
| Tata | 109,910 | +40.2% |
| Mahindra | 91,166 | +24.2% |
| Hyundai | 59,107 | +9.5% |
| Toyota | 30,630 | +17.0% |
| Honda | 6,193 | -15.5% |
| Kia | 27,603 | +10.3% |
| MG | 4,843 | +8.7% |
Maruti Suzuki January sales remained broadly stable, registering marginal year-on-year growth of 0.3%. In contrast, Tata Motors PV sales expanded sharply by 40.2%, representing one of the strongest growth trajectories among major OEMs during the month. Mahindra SUV sales increased 24.2%, underlining sustained demand for utility vehicle offerings. Hyundai India sales and Toyota Kirloskar sales recorded steady expansion, while Honda Cars India sales contracted 15.5% compared with the corresponding period last year. Kia India sales and MG Motor India sales also maintained positive growth momentum, reinforcing competitive intensity within the mid-size and compact SUV categories.
Retail Momentum and Rural Expansion
PV retail sales January reached 513,475 units, reflecting a 7.2% year-on-year increase. This continued uptrend in Indian passenger vehicle sales at the retail level extends the positive trajectory observed since the festive period, indicating stable consumer sentiment, improved financing accessibility, and healthy dealer inventory alignment across regions.Rural Demand and Compact SUV Growth
A significant driver of the January performance was the acceleration in rural vehicle demand India, with rural retail volumes rising 14.4% year-on-year. Backed by improving economic activity and structural consumption recovery beyond metro markets, demand dispersion across Tier-2 and Tier-3 regions has strengthened. Entry-level hatchbacks and compact SUV sales India witnessed notable traction, reflecting a consumer shift toward feature-rich yet value-oriented utility vehicles that balance affordability with enhanced ground clearance and practicality.The sustained improvement in Indian passenger vehicle sales across both wholesale dispatches and PV retail sales January underscores balanced demand recovery across urban and rural ecosystems. With SUV-heavy product portfolios contributing incremental volumes and rural penetration deepening, India auto industry sales remain structurally supported as OEMs recalibrate capacity planning, distribution networks, and model strategies in response to evolving buyer preferences.
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