Domestic wholesale sales rise nearly 14% to around 5.25 lakh units, with festive demand and SUV sales supporting volumes.

India's Passenger Vehicle (PV) industry crossed the 5-lakh monthly sales milestone in October 2026, with wholesales estimated at around 5.25 lakh units, registering nearly 14% growth over 4,60,739 units in October 2025. The sales surge was supported by festive purchases around Navratri and Dussehra, sustained demand in rural markets, improved affordability following GST rate rationalisation and new model launches. Automakers also reported strong traction in the SUV segment, alongside a recovery in demand across smaller cars.
Maruti Suzuki India retained its leadership position with domestic PV sales of 2,12,384 units, up 20.5% year on year. The company also recorded its highest-ever monthly wholesales of 2,76,120 units, including exports of 49,872 units.
Partho Banerjee, Senior Executive Officer, Marketing & Sales, said growth was broad-based despite a high year-ago base. Small-car sales increased 38% to 40,443 units, while SUV volumes touched a record 73,058 units.
Banerjee said retail sales stood at approximately 2.44 lakh units, exceeding wholesale dispatches, while dealer inventory remained at 12 days. The company expects to gain at least two percentage points in market share, subject to final industry numbers. CNG sales were close to 87,000 units, accounting for nearly 40% of domestic PV volumes.
Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles reported domestic sales of 73,894 units, up 21% year on year. Including exports of 1,532 units, its total PV sales stood at 75,426 units, a growth of 23%. Its electric vehicle sales across domestic and international markets jumped 75% to 16,244 units.
Hyundai Motor India's domestic sales rose 16.7% to 62,799 units, while combined domestic and export sales touched a record 82,299 units. Managing Director and CEO Tarun Garg attributed the performance to festive demand and momentum across domestic and export markets.
Kia India recorded its highest-ever monthly wholesales of 33,462 units. Senior Vice-President Atul Sood attributed the performance to festive demand and traction across its model range.
Toyota Kirloskar Motor, meanwhile, reported domestic sales of 29,521 units, down 26.7%. Sabari Manohar, executive vice-president, Sales-Service-Used Car Business, said festive-season customer interest remained encouraging.
Mahindra & Mahindra also recorded its highest-ever monthly domestic SUV sales of 73,338 units, up 2%. Dr Velusamy R, President, Automotive Business, attributed the performance to festive demand and a refreshed portfolio, including encouraging customer traction for the XUV 3XO ZNG.