India’s automobile industry has achieved a historic milestone in the financial year 2025–26, with all major vehicle segments registering their highest-ever annual sales, marking the sector’s strongest performance in seven years, reports ANI, a partner of TV BRICS.
According to data released by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers, passenger vehicle sales reached an unprecedented 4.643 million units, representing a 7.9 per cent increase compared with the previous financial year. The commercial vehicle segment also posted record figures, with 1.08 million units sold, reflecting a 12.6 per cent rise.
Three-wheelers continued their upward trajectory, achieving 836,000 units in sales, up 12.8 per cent year-on-year. Meanwhile, the two-wheeler segment emerged as the standout performer, surpassing 21.7 million units, a 10.7 per cent increase and the highest level since the peak recorded in financial year 2018–19.
The industry’s performance was particularly strong in the second half of the financial year, following a modest start. Passenger vehicle sales grew by 16.7 per cent in the latter half, while two-wheeler sales surged by 21.5 per cent.
Electric vehicle (EV) adoption played a pivotal role in the sector’s expansion. Registrations of electric passenger vehicles increased by more than 80 per cent during the year, while electric two-wheeler demand rose sharply.
The January–March quarter proved equally historic, with all four segments recording their highest-ever fourth-quarter sales. Passenger vehicles reached 1.316 million units (up 13.2 per cent), commercial vehicles 325,000 units (up 18.9 per cent), three-wheelers 227,000 units (up 26.7 per cent), and two-wheelers 5.773 million units (up 26.4 per cent).
Exports also reached new highs, reinforcing India’s position as a global automotive manufacturing hub. Passenger vehicle exports climbed to 905,000 units (up 17.5 per cent), while two-wheeler exports hit a record 5.18 million units, a 23.4 per cent increase. Three-wheeler exports surged by 50.1 per cent to 461,000 units, and commercial vehicle exports grew by 17.4 per cent to 95,000 units.