Car Sales October 2025 Report: India’s Passenger Vehicle Market Hits Record High
India’s Passenger Vehicle Market Hits Record High in October 2025
India’s automotive sector witnessed a landmark moment in October 2025 as passenger-vehicle (PV) sales reached record levels, powered by festive cheer, new model launches, and strong consumer confidence. Nearly every major carmaker — from Maruti Suzuki and Tata Motors to Mahindra, Hyundai, Toyota, and Kia — reported robust numbers. The month reflected not just an upturn in demand but a structural shift in the Indian car market toward SUVs, electrification, and value-driven innovation.
1. The Festive Surge and Policy Boost
October 2025 coincided with the country’s major festive season — Navratri, Dussehra, Dhanteras, and Diwali — traditionally the most lucrative period for auto sales. This year, festive demand was amplified by the GST 2.0 reforms, which reduced the effective tax burden on vehicles, making cars slightly cheaper across segments.
Dealerships reported record footfalls, and pre-booking levels soared throughout the month. Automakers timed launches and promotional campaigns perfectly, offering cash discounts, exchange bonuses, and attractive finance schemes. The result was one of the strongest months the Indian PV market has ever seen.
2. Maruti Suzuki Retains Market Leadership
Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL), the undisputed leader of India’s car market, posted 176,318 domestic PV sales in October 2025, up from 159,591 in October 2024 — a growth of nearly 11 % year-on-year.
The Baleno, Brezza, Swift, and Dzire remained chart-toppers, while the Fronx and Grand Vitara strengthened the company’s SUV portfolio. Despite the decline in entry-level hatchback demand, Maruti’s strong mid-segment lineup and expanding CNG and hybrid range kept volumes high.
Including exports, total sales reached 220,894 units, underscoring Maruti’s manufacturing scale and export strength.
3. Tata Motors — India’s No. 2 Car Manufacturer
Tata Motors consolidated its position as India’s second-largest passenger-vehicle manufacturer after Maruti. The company sold approximately 61,295 PV units (wholesale) and registered around 74,700 retail registrations, depending on data sources.
Tata’s success was driven by its popular SUV range — the Punch, Nexon, Harrier, and Safari — as well as its expanding EV portfolio. The Nexon EV and Tiago EV delivered record sales, helping Tata maintain its dominance in India’s electric-car segment with over 80 % market share.
The brand’s strategy of offering petrol, diesel, and electric options for most models has resonated with a wide customer base. With improved product design, five-star safety ratings, and aggressive marketing, Tata has firmly established itself as the people’s alternative to Maruti.
4. Mahindra & Mahindra — The SUV Powerhouse
Mahindra & Mahindra reported 71,624 domestic SUV sales, its highest-ever monthly figure for the passenger-vehicle category. While the company’s total automotive sales (including commercial vehicles and exports) stood at 120,142 units, the passenger-vehicle figure — focused entirely on SUVs — tells the true story.
The Scorpio-N, XUV700, Thar, and Bolero Neo were Mahindra’s bestsellers, with many variants carrying waiting periods of several months. Mahindra has effectively carved a niche in the mid-to-premium SUV market, appealing to both rural and urban buyers.
The automaker’s emphasis on design, powertrains, and ruggedness has made it the leader in the SUV segment, even though Tata holds the second spot in total passenger-vehicle volumes.
5. Hyundai Motor India — Steady in Fourth Place
Hyundai Motor India Ltd. recorded 53,792 domestic PV sales in October 2025. The Creta, Venue, and Exter continued to be the brand’s main growth drivers, collectively contributing over half of Hyundai’s domestic volumes.
Hyundai also exported 16,102 units, bringing its total wholesales to 69,894 units. While year-on-year domestic sales were slightly lower than the 55,568 units sold in October 2024, the company remains strong in the compact SUV and premium hatchback segments.
With plans to launch multiple EVs and hybrids in 2026, Hyundai aims to defend its position against Tata and Mahindra, both of whom have expanded aggressively in recent years.
6. Toyota Kirloskar Motor — Strong Double-Digit Growth
Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) posted 40,257 domestic passenger-vehicle sales, up sharply from 28,138 units in October 2024 — nearly 39 % growth. Including exports (2,635 units), Toyota’s total reached 42,892 units.
The hybrid-powered Innova HyCross, Urban Cruiser Taisor, and Fortuner drove this growth, supported by the company’s strong brand equity and high customer loyalty. Toyota’s hybrid-SUV strategy has proven effective, appealing to buyers looking for better fuel efficiency without full EV infrastructure dependency.
7. Kia India — Record-Breaking Month
Kia India had its best-ever October performance with 29,556 PV units sold, up 30 % year-on-year. The Sonet led with 12,745 units — its highest monthly total ever — followed by the Carens (8,779 units) and Seltos (7,130 units).
Kia’s appeal lies in its youthful design, premium interiors, and strong marketing targeting millennial and Gen-Z buyers. Despite being a relatively new entrant (since 2019), Kia now ranks consistently among India’s top five passenger-vehicle brands.
8. Skoda, Honda, and MG Show Gains
Skoda Auto India achieved its best-ever monthly sales at 8,252 units, powered by the success of the Kylaq subcompact SUV and steady demand for the Kushaq, Slavia, and Kodiaq.
Honda Cars India recorded 7,168 units, with the Elevate SUV showing strong traction and the City sedan continuing as a steady seller.
JSW MG Motor India, under its new ownership structure, posted 5,753 PV units. The Comet EV and Astor contributed significantly, signaling that urban consumers are embracing compact EVs and tech-rich vehicles.
9. Market Insights and Trends
SUV Supremacy
SUVs remained the growth engine of India’s car market. Over 50 % of total PV sales in October 2025 were SUVs or crossovers. Mahindra, Tata, and Kia all owe their growth to this segment.
Even Maruti’s resurgence is driven by SUV offerings like the Brezza, Fronx, and Grand Vitara, marking a structural transition from hatchbacks to SUVs as the preferred Indian family car.
Rise of Electric and Hybrid Vehicles
The month also highlighted India’s slow but steady shift toward electrification. Tata’s EVs hit record volumes, while Toyota’s hybrids gained mass appeal. Maruti and Hyundai have begun investing heavily in hybrid and EV ecosystems, signaling the next phase of the mobility revolution.
Festive Sentiment and Urban Demand
Urban demand was buoyant, but Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities also contributed significantly. Rural demand rebounded thanks to a good monsoon and stable commodity prices. Easy loan availability and extended EMI tenures helped first-time buyers enter the market.
Safety, Features, and Localisation
Indian consumers are prioritising safety ratings, infotainment, and connectivity features. Carmakers like Tata, Mahindra, and Skoda have benefited immensely from their five-star Global NCAP ratings, while Maruti and Hyundai are catching up fast. Localised production and flexible platforms have kept prices competitive.
10. Rankings: Top 10 Passenger-Vehicle Brands (October 2025)
| Rank | Carmaker | Domestic PV Sales | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maruti Suzuki | 176,318 | +11 % |
| 2 | Tata Motors | 61,295 | +27 % |
| 3 | Mahindra & Mahindra | 71,624 (SUVs only) | +31 % |
| 4 | Hyundai Motor India | 53,792 | −3 % |
| 5 | Toyota Kirloskar Motor | 40,257 | +39 % |
| 6 | Kia India | 29,556 | +30 % |
| 7 | Skoda Auto India | 8,252 | +45 % |
| 8 | Honda Cars India | 7,168 | +22 % |
| 9 | MG Motor India | 5,753 | +18 % |
| 10 | Renault/Nissan (combined) | ~5,000 (est.) | Flat |
(Data from OEM press releases and verified automotive industry sources, October 2025)
11. The Road Ahead
With festive euphoria extending into November and December, automakers are optimistic about sustaining high volumes through Q3 FY2026. The competitive landscape is tightening: Tata aims to protect its No. 2 position, Mahindra is doubling down on SUVs, and Hyundai plans a renewed hybrid-EV push.
The Indian market is now clearly segmented:
- Maruti owns the mass-market space.
- Tata leads in EVs and safety-rated cars.
- Mahindra dominates SUVs.
- Hyundai and Kia command premium-urban buyers.
- Toyota is emerging as the hybrid champion.
With evolving consumer tastes and rapid technology adoption, India’s car market is entering its most dynamic phase ever.
Conclusion
October 2025 was a defining month for the Indian passenger-vehicle industry. It reflected a confident consumer base, strong macro-economic fundamentals, and industry readiness for innovation. While Maruti remains the market leader, Tata continues its steady climb as India’s second-largest carmaker. Mahindra has transformed into a pure-SUV giant, and others like Toyota, Kia, and Skoda have recorded unprecedented gains.
As India speeds toward 2026, the focus will be on sustainable mobility, connected technology, and export-driven growth. The festive boom of October 2025 may well be remembered as the month that ushered in a new golden era for India’s automotive industry.
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