CARS24 recently released its DriveTime Quarterly Report for Q2 2024. 

According to this report, 78 percent of Indian car buyers are now prioritising safety features like airbags, ABS, EBD and ESC over mileage even with high fuel pricing. Other features in demand are manual transmissions which saw 80 percent of buyers opting for it and premium features such as sunroofs, GPS-integrated systems and rearview cameras have become standard expectations for car buyers. Leather interiors, alloy wheels, ambient lighting, turbocharged engines and technologies like 360-degree cameras are among the most sought-after features. Value-added services are also on the rise with consumers spending an average of INR 10,000 on extended warranties and tech upgrades.

Overall, the report states that in the period from April to June approximately 48.5 percent of all car buyers were salaried professionals celebrating career milestones. Corporate employees are choosing to invest in personal vehicles for their daily commutes and lifestyle upgrades. This shift is driven by a rise in disposable incomes, attractive financing options and a desire for enhanced personal mobility. The majority of these purchases were made by employees in metro cities such as Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru. However, the pre-owned car popularity extends beyond metro cities with explosive growth seen in non-metro markets. 

The report highlights an increased urban and non-metro demand and changing consumer preferences with a focus on safety and advanced features. Financing options are making car ownership more accessible with a notable rise in women buyers.

Other key trends mentioned in the report were as follows:

Non-Metro areas such as Agra, Coimbatore, Vadodara and Nagpur, each saw a 25 percent growth in pre-owned car sales courtesy of economic growth and rising disposable incomes in the cities. The most popular pre-owned models include Grand i10, Swift, Baleno, Kwid and Honda City. Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Pune also saw a surge in pre-loved car sales.

Over the last five years, the share of SUVs has increased from 10 percent to almost 20 percent reflecting a shift in consumer preferences. In the used car market, the proliferation of body type is — Hatchbacks - 60 percent, Sedans - 21 percent and SUVs - 19 percent.

Unique trends like gifting pre-owned cars also surged on Akshaya Tritiya, Mother's Day and Father's Day in this quarter. 

In terms of finance, the average age of buyers using loans dropped from mid 40s to early 30s. Women secured 10 percent higher loan amounts in comparison to men. A total of INR 3.28 billion in loans were issued out of which 30 percent of loans were zero down-payment.

Cars worth INR 15 billion were sold to Cars24 in the quarter. People are looking to upgrade to newer models more frequently driven by the desire for enhanced features, better fuel efficiency and lower maintenance costs. These have now created shorter ownership cycle of 4-6 years as compared to the earlier cycle of 8-10 years.

Commenting on the report Gajendra Jangid, Co-founder, CARS24 said, “This quarter has been nothing short of extraordinary. With so many services coming in, we’re seeing incredible diversity in our customers' car preferences and buying patterns. It’s been exciting to evolve alongside our customers and witness how the future of car ownership in India is taking shape.”

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Hyundai Motor India (HMIL) has released its unaudited financial results for Q3 FY2026 and nine months ending 31 December 2025.

The company reported a Profit After Tax (PAT) of INR 123.44 billion for Q3, representing a 6.3 percent increase YoY. Revenue for the quarter reached INR 1,797.35 billion, up 8 percent compared to the same period last year. EBITDA stood at INR 2,018.3 billion, a 7.6 percent rise, supported by festive demand and the implementation of GST 2.0.

The company stated that the domestic demand was supported by wholesale volumes increasing 5 percent QoQ. The Hyundai Creta recorded sales of over 200,000 units in the 2025 calendar year, while the new Venue model has received nearly 80,000 bookings to date.

Hyundai Motor India also entered the commercial mobility segment with the Prime HB and SD taxi models. Exports grew by 21 percent YoY in Q3 FY26, accounting for 25 percent of the total sales mix.

For the nine-month period, EBITDA reached INR 6,632.5 billion, a 3.3 percent increase. EBITDA margins expanded to 12.8 percent, up from 12.5 percent in the previous year, despite costs related to capacity stabilisation and commodity prices.

Tarun Garg, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, said, “The third quarter performance underscores our resilience and strong execution of 'Quality of Growth' strategy, marked by healthy growth in volumes, revenue and profitability. Notably on a year-to-date basis, EBITDA margins expanded to 12.8 percent as against 12.5 percent last year, supported by our efforts towards improving sales mix and prudent cost control measures. As we move ahead, the robust January’26 sales number gives us great momentum towards a healthy 2026.”

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Stellantis-owned Jeep has announced its Strategic Plan Jeep 2.0, positioning India as a central hub for its operations in the Asia Pacific region. The plan focuses on localisation, manufacturing depth, and export expansion from the company's facility in Ranjangaon, Pune.

As part of the strategy, Jeep intends to increase localisation levels to 90 percent, up from the current 65–70 percent. This move is aimed at strengthening supply-chain resilience and cost competitiveness. The Ranjangaon plant, which has an annual capacity of 160,000 vehicles, currently exports the Compass, Meridian, and Commander to markets including Japan, Australia and New Zealand. Plans are underway to expand exports to Africa and North America.

The company plans to introduce a new vehicle lineup in India starting from 2027. In the interim, Jeep will maintain its current portfolio through refreshes and special editions. To support its customers, the brand has introduced the Confidence 7 programme, which includes a buyback scheme, pre-maintenance packages, and extended warranties.

At present, Jeep operates over 85 sales and service touchpoints across 70 cities in India. The automaker stated that in 2025, the Wrangler Willys 41 limited edition sold out within seven days. The company is also focusing on its owner community, which has reached 100,000 members, through experiential platforms and brand clubs.

Shailesh Hazela, CEO & Managing Director, Stellantis India, said, “Jeep’s 85-year legacy is built on authenticity and adventure. Strategic Plan Jeep 2.0 lays out how we will sharpen our product strategy and strengthen the customer experience year after year, driven by deeper localisation, global product alignment, expanding our vehicle offerings, and programs that deliver real value. We are equally focused on taking care of our existing customers, ensuring they receive the support, service and confidence they expect from Jeep. Success in India demands resilience and long-term commitment and we are investing with that clarity to ensure Jeep remains a brand of pride and desirability.”

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Maruti Suzuki India, the country’s largest passenger vehicle manufacturer, has reported its financial results for Q3 FY2026.

The company reported revenue of INR 475.344 billion, as against INR 368.02 billion last year, net profit came at INR 37.94 billion, as against INR 36.59 billion last year. It is to be noted that the net profit was impacted for Q3 FY2026 was impacted due to a one-time provision of INR 5,939 million relating to new Labour Codes.

During the period, the company achieved its highest quarterly domestic sales of 564,669 units, an increase of 97,676 units over the previous year. Total sales reached 667,769 units, which included 103,100 units in exports. This performance was supported by a recovery in the car market following GST reform, with the small car segment in the 18 percent GST bracket contributing significantly to the volume increase.

For the nine-month period from April to December 2025, the company recorded its highest sales volume, net sales and net profit. Total sales volume reached 1,746,504 units, with domestic sales at 1,435,945 units and exports at 310,559 units. Net sales for this period increased to INR 1,242 billion, while net profit grew to INR 1,085 billion.

Financial statements for the period have been restated following the amalgamation of Suzuki Motor Gujarat (SMG) with MSIL. This process took effect from 1 April 2025. The company continues to monitor market conditions as it manages its manufacturing and sales operations.

The recovery in the car market was led by the small car segment. Sales growth in this category accounted for 68,328 units of the total domestic increase. The company remains focused on domestic and export markets to maintain its sales volumes.

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Volkswagen Passenger Cars India has showcased the Tayron R-Line, marking the first of five product interventions scheduled for 2026.

The company plans to introduce updates or new models in every quarter to maintain market presence. These interventions will include SUV, Sedan and Hatchback body styles, with each model intended for different segments of the premium market.

For 2026, the company stated it has established objectives focused on products, customer engagement and experiences. The strategy involves using product actions to address various customer sets throughout the year. The brand aims to sustain interest through these quarterly releases across its vehicle portfolio.

The roadmap for the year is designed to cover multiple segments, ensuring a consistent rollout of updates. By addressing three body styles, the manufacturer intends to reach a broad audience within the premium category. The initiative forms part of a wider plan to enhance the ownership experience and interaction with the brand in India.

Nitin Kohli, Brand Director, Volkswagen Passenger Cars India, said, “Today, we are glad to showcase the Tayron R-Line for the first time in India. I am also delighted to announce that we have planned four more product interventions throughout the year. This year, every quarter will witness a new product intervention that will cater to a different premium customer set. Our objective is to continue building excitement for customers through smart product actions and introducing models that will continue to build aspirations.”

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