Passenger vehicle sales hit record 4.39 lakh units in August, two-wheelers cross 20 lakh units: SIAM

India’s passenger vehicle and two-wheeler segments recorded their strongest-ever August sales, with demand remaining firm ahead of the festive season, according to data released by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) on Tuesday.

Passenger vehicle sales rose 36.5% year-on-year to 4,39,309 units in August 2026, compared with 3,21,901 units in the same month last year. Two-wheeler sales increased 10.5% to 20,34,698 units from 18,41,954 units.

Passenger vehicles lead broad-based growth

The PV segment’s August performance was driven by the industry's strongest-ever sales for the month, with volumes crossing the 4.39-lakh mark. SIAM Director General Rajesh Menon said passenger vehicles recorded double-digit growth of 36.5% during the month.

However, SIAM noted that the comparison benefited from a relatively low base in August 2025. Excluding Tata Motors, the passenger vehicle industry’s sales stood at 3,74,056 units in August 2026, against 2,80,900 units a year earlier.

Within two-wheelers, scooters emerged as the stronger growth driver, with sales increasing 23.8% to 8,55,715 units. Motorcycle sales rose a more modest 2.4% to 11,33,047 units, while moped volumes grew 4.7% to 45,936 units.

Two-wheeler demand remains firm

Menon said the broader demand environment remained fundamentally healthy, citing strong consumer confidence, resilient rural markets, improving financing conditions and increasing adoption of alternative drivetrains.

“Festive demand is also expected to provide an additional boost, resulting in healthy Q2 numbers,” Menon said.

Overall production of passenger vehicles, three-wheelers, two-wheelers and quadricycles stood at 31,57,822 units in August 2026, SIAM said.

The two-wheeler market’s overall growth was supported primarily by scooters, which accounted for more than 8.55 lakh units during the month. Motorcycle sales, despite their relatively modest 2.4% growth, remained the largest component of the two-wheeler market at more than 11.33 lakh units.

Three-wheelers add to August momentum

Three-wheeler sales also recorded their highest-ever August performance, rising 22.8% to 93,764 units from 76,324 units in August 2025. Passenger carriers accounted for 78,680 units, up 22.4%, while goods carriers grew 34.9% to 13,320 units.

The electric three-wheeler sub-segments, however, moved in the opposite direction. E-rickshaw sales declined 6% year-on-year to 1,264 units, while e-cart sales fell 38.3% to 500 units.

Overall production of passenger vehicles, three-wheelers, two-wheelers and quadricycles stood at 31,57,822 units in August 2026, SIAM said.

Menon attributed the broader industry momentum to a combination of consumer confidence, resilient rural demand, improving financing conditions and the increasing adoption of alternative drivetrains. He also cautioned by stating that the strong August growth came on the back of a lower base in the previous year, while maintaining that the underlying demand environment remains healthy.