Auto sector reports strong sales momentum; SUVs and exports drive growth across industry

The performance reflects continued demand for passenger vehicles and steady growth in commercial vehicle sales as the financial year closed on a positive note for the automotive industry.

Hyundai Motor India reported its highest-ever quarterly domestic sales in the January-March period of 2026. The company recorded total Q4 sales of 2,08,275 units, marking an 8.7 per cent year-on-year (YoY) growth, including domestic sales of 1,66,578 units and exports of 41,697 units.

The company also registered its highest domestic sales for the month of March with 55,064 units, while total monthly sales stood at 69,004 units, including exports of 13,940 units.

Commenting on the performance, Tarun Garg, Managing Director and CEO of Hyundai Motor India Limited, said, "Continuing the momentum gained in 2026, we have achieved the highest-ever quarterly domestic sales of 1,66,578 units in Q4 FY2025-26. We remain confident of sustaining the pace with upcoming product interventions like our recently upgraded Hyundai VERNA and EXTER."

Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles also reported robust growth, with total passenger vehicle sales in domestic and international markets reaching 201,368 units in Q4 FY26 compared to 146,999 units in the same period last year.

The company's total passenger vehicle sales for March stood at 66,971 units, registering a 29 per cent YoY increase. Electric vehicle sales also saw strong growth, rising 77 per cent YoY to 9,494 units during the month.

Shailesh Chandra, Managing Director and CEO of Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd., said the year marked a major milestone for the company. "We achieved our highest ever annual sales volumes of over 6.4 lakh units, delivering industry-beating growth of 15 per cent YoY," he said.

Mahindra & Mahindra also posted strong growth in March, with total vehicle sales reaching 99,969 units, up 21 per cent year-on-year. The company sold 60,272 utility vehicles in the domestic market, reflecting a 25 per cent increase.

Nalinikanth Gollagunta, CEO of the Automotive Division at M&M Ltd., said, "The financial year ended on a very positive note, with Mahindra clocking its highest-ever volumes in both SUVs and LCV (<3.5T) segments, a significant milestone for the company."

He added, "In March, we achieved SUV sales of 60,272 units, a growth of 25 per cent and LCV <3.5T sales of 24,928 units, a growth of 11 per cent YoY. Total vehicle sales stood at 99,969 units, a 21 per cent YoY growth."

In the commercial vehicle segment, Ashok Leyland reported total vehicle sales of 25,381 units in March 2026, up from 24,060 units in the same month last year, reflecting a 5 per cent increase.

The company's medium and heavy commercial vehicle (M&HCV) truck sales rose 11 per cent year-on-year during the month, while light commercial vehicle (LCV) sales increased 12 per cent.

Eicher Motors, through its subsidiary VE Commercial Vehicles Limited (VECV), also posted growth in truck and bus sales.

Total VECV sales stood at 13,311 units in March 2026 compared to 12,094 units in March 2025, marking a 10.1 per cent increase.

Domestic sales rose 13.6 per cent to 12,706 units during the month, while total exports stood at 407 units.

Meanwhile, Maruti Suzuki reported total sales of 225,251 units in March 2026, including domestic sales of 169,428 units and exports of 47,040 units.

For the financial year 2025-26, the company achieved total sales of 2,422,713 units -- its highest-ever annual sales performance.

Overall, the strong performance across passenger and commercial vehicle segments highlights sustained demand in the Indian automobile market, with SUVs, electric vehicles and exports emerging as key growth drivers for manufacturers. (ANI)