Dhanteras vehicle sales: Maruti expects 30,000 deliveries; Mahindra reports strong SUV demand; Hyundai, Tata also see festive surge

Automakers reported strong demand during Dhanteras, with Maruti Suzuki expecting around 30,000 vehicle deliveries, followed by Hyundai Motor India, which expects around 16,000 deliveries. Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles, meanwhile, expects its single-day deliveries to cross 12,000 vehicles, as the festive season continues to drive retail momentum across the passenger vehicle market.

The strong demand comes amid an extended festive period, with automakers reporting healthy bookings and deliveries since Ganesh Chaturthi. While Maruti Suzuki and Mahindra & Mahindra have highlighted strong demand across their respective portfolios, Hyundai and Tata Motors have also seen a substantial increase in festive deliveries compared with the previous year.

Maruti Suzuki is expecting to deliver around 30,000 vehicles on Dhanteras this year, according to Partho Banerjee, senior executive officer, Marketing & Sales, Maruti Suzuki India. “We are expecting to deliver around 30,000 vehicles on Dhanteras this year. What is particularly encouraging is that the strong momentum is not limited to one day. From Ganesh Chaturthi on September 14 to November 6, we have already recorded retail sales of over 4 lakh vehicles, compared to 3.46 lakh units during the same period last year,” Banerjee said.

He added that the company's Brezza and Baleno models have received a strong response following their respective updates. In two months, Baleno sales have crossed 50,000, while Brezza sales have crossed 70,000. Both models also have significant pending bookings, he said.

Mahindra & Mahindra has also reported strong demand across its SUV portfolio during the festive season. The company said it has been the fastest-growing brand based on VAHAN registration data for comparable festive days, starting from Navratri, over the approximately 25-day period tracked so far. “We are witnessing very strong demand across Mahindra’s SUV portfolio during the festive season. Based on VAHAN registration data for comparable festive days, starting from Navratri, Mahindra has been the fastest-growing brand over the approximately 25-day period tracked so far,” said Rajesh Jejurikar, executive director and CEO, Auto and Farm Sector, Mahindra & Mahindra.

Jejurikar added that physical SUV inventory at dealerships is close to zero across most of the company's portfolio, with less than eight to nine days of stock, excluding vehicles in transit. The company is operating at full capacity, with October volumes exceeding previously indicated capacity levels.

Mahindra's electric SUV portfolio has also witnessed strong demand through October. The automaker continues to maintain its outlook of mid-to-high-teen growth for its SUV business in FY27.

Hyundai, Tata Motors report strong Dhanteras deliveries

Hyundai Motor India expects to deliver around 16,000 vehicles across Dhanteras and Diwali, nearly 14% higher than the previous year. “Dhanteras and Diwali are one of the most auspicious days to bring home a new vehicle and we are witnessing strong customer demand this year as well. We expect to deliver around 16,000 units, nearly 14% higher than last year,” said Tarun Garg, managing director and CEO, Hyundai Motor India.

Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles also reported strong festive demand, with single-day deliveries expected to cross 12,000 vehicles on Dhanteras.

“The festive season has delivered strong and sustained demand across markets, with customers nationwide choosing our vehicles to mark the occasion. Newly launched products have added further momentum, strengthening traction across the portfolio,” said Amit Kamat, chief commercial officer, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles.

Kamat added that the company has recorded retail growth of over 20% since Ganesh Chaturthi compared with the corresponding period last year. “Dhanteras saw an outstanding response, with single-day deliveries expected to cross 12,000 vehicles. Diwali muhurat deliveries will continue till Wednesday, and we expect this momentum to carry into the coming days,” he said.

The festive season has therefore provided a boost to passenger vehicle retail activity across manufacturers, with strong demand spanning established models, recently updated vehicles and electric SUVs.