The automotive retail sales in India is back in the green, and for October 2024, the convergence of Navratri and Diwali has helped register robust growth across segments.

According to the latest data released by the Federation of Automobile Dealers Association (FADA), a total of 2.8 million vehicles were registered last month, up 32.14 percent YoY, compared to 2.14 million vehicles sold last year.

This included 2 million two-wheelers (+36.34 percent YoY); 122,846 three-wheelers (+11.45 percent YoY); 483,159 passenger vehicles (+32.38 percent YoY); 64,433 tractors (+3.08 percent YoY) and 97,411 commercial vehicles (+6.37 percent YoY).

C S Vigneshwar, President, FADA stated that festivities traditionally account for 30–35 percent of total annual auto sales. The industry was keenly observing how October would unfold.

He said, “With dealers entering this crucial period fully committed and carrying all-time high inventory levels, the month did not disappoint!”

FADA shared that the rural market once again played a leading role in driving growth, particularly in the two-wheeler and passenger vehicle segments. Additionally, the Government of India's announcement of an increase in the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for Rabi crops further boosted market sentiments.

The two-wheeler sales were driven by festive schemes, discounts along with new model launches that drove consumer interest. The dealers were able to support the demand on the back of better stock availability and suppliers from OEMs.

In the passenger vehicle segment too, aggressive offers, attractive schemes and new model introductions further stimulated demand.

“Enhanced vehicle availability and strong market interest, especially for SUVs and new products, also contributed to the exceptional sales. However, despite strong sales, PV OEMs continue to heavily stock dealers, resulting in inventory levels decreasing by only five days, with overall inventory still at a high of 75–80 days. This may thus lead the season of substantial discounts to continue until the end of the calendar year,” cautioned Vigneshwar.

The commercial vehicle segment growth was driven by various factors such as supportive agricultural markets and bulk purchases, particularly for container movements.

FADA states that however dealers faced challenges such as slow demand, sluggish construction activities, financial issues among customers and increased vehicle prices leading to higher EMIs.

“Overall, while there were areas of growth, the CV market faced headwinds that tempered its overall performance,” he shared.

Great Indian wedding

While the automotive industry has been seeing a mixed results in terms of retail demand, the expectation for the rest of the calendar year remains positive. An estimated 4.8 million weddings are scheduled across the country in November and December 2024. This is expected to bring an ‘unprecedented surge’ in demand for wedding-related goods and services.

For the automotive industry this could further amplify demand for two-wheelers and passenger vehicles. In the CV segment, while supportive agricultural markets and continued bulk purchases may contribute positively, dealers remain vigilant due to factors like sluggish construction activities, financial constraints among customers and an anticipated decrease in demand post-festivities.

But on the other hand, for the passenger vehicle segment, there are apprehensions about potential slowdowns caused by customers postponing purchases in anticipation of better year-end discounts. FADA also urges, PV OEMs to further rationalise supply.

The auto retail body states that while the industry is optimistic about near-term growth driven by the wedding season and favourable market conditions, dealers are mindful of potential challenges that could affect sales momentum as the year concludes.

‘The mixed sentiments reflected in the survey highlight the need for strategic planning and cautious optimism as the auto sector navigates the remaining months of the year,’ the note concluded.

Representational image courtesy: TomFlick/Pexels

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Kia India, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has introduced the Model Year 2026 (MY26) edition of the Kia Sonet, increasing the availability of automatic transmissions across its diesel and turbo petrol variants.

The update introduces the 1.5-litre Diesel 6-speed Automatic and the 1.0-litre Turbo Petrol 7-speed Dual-Clutch Transmission (7DCT) in lower trim levels, with prices starting from INR 977,900 and INR 989,900, respectively. This move makes the Sonet the first SUV in its segment to offer both automatic technologies at a price point below INR 1 million.

The diesel automatic option has been expanded to the HTE(O), HTK(O), HTK+ and HTK+(O) variants. The turbo petrol 7DCT is now available in HTK(O) and HTK+(O) trims. These additions are intended to address the increasing demand for automatic vehicles in urban traffic conditions. The Sonet portfolio now includes five powertrain options, 70 connected car features and 10 Level 1 Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS).

Standard safety equipment across the Sonet range includes 15 features. The vehicle recently reached a sales milestone of 5 lakh units in the Indian market since its launch in 2020. Alongside the mechanical updates, Kia has added a new exterior colour option, Magma Red, to the palette. The model continues to feature a cabin equipped with a range of technologies designed for the compact SUV segment.

Atul Sood, Senior Vice-President, Sales & Marketing, Kia India, said, “We have been closely listening to evolving customer needs, particularly the growing preference for the convenience of automatic driving in everyday conditions. With the model year 2026 update, we are expanding our automatic line-up with Diesel Automatic and Turbo Petrol 7DCT options at highly competitive price points, enabling more customers to experience the ease of automatic mobility while further strengthening Sonet’s leadership in the segment.”

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Maruti Suzuki India, the country’s largest passenger vehicle manufacturer, has announced that its Dzire sedan has crossed the 3 million sales milestone. The vehicle was the highest-selling car in India during the 2025 calendar year.

First introduced in 2008, the Dzire has evolved through four generations, transitioning from its initial launch to its current iteration. The fourth-generation model is equipped with a Z-Series engine and features an electric sunroof, a 360-degree camera, and a 22.86 cm infotainment system with wireless connectivity. Safety specifications include six airbags, Electronic Stability Program (ESP) with Hill Hold Assist, and ISOFIX child seat anchorages. The vehicle has received 5-star safety ratings from both Bharat NCAP and Global NCAP.

According to the company, first-time buyers represent approximately 50 percent of the customer base for the current model. Over its history, the Dzire has introduced various technologies to the segment, including automatic transmissions, climate control and LED projector headlamps. The current version integrates smartwatch connectivity and remote vehicle monitoring through Suzuki Connect.

Partho Banerjee, Senior Executive Officer, Marketing & Sales, Maruti Suzuki India, said, “I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude towards all 3 million Dzire customers on this incredible milestone. The fourth-generation Dzire has well and truly reignited the sedan segment with its refined and sophisticated appeal, ensuring it finds strong preference among young first-time buyers, this demographic in fact represents nearly 50% of customers. A wide range of comfort and convenience features alongside 5-star safety ratings ensure the Dzire caters to every preference of today’s evolving customers.”

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Lamborghini India is witnessing a strong demand for its super cars from all regions of India – North, South, East and West. It is seeing new customers arrive with an ability to increasingly embrace the Italian brand’s Ad Personam personalisation programme, which helps create highly individual, statement-making configurations. The trend is exemplified through some of the recent Lamborghini Revuelto deliveries across the country, each uniquely specified and reflective of the customer’s personal style, performance preferences and ownership journey. 

North India: A Record -Spec for Revuelto in Azzurro Thetys 
The North India delivery features a Lamborghini Revuelto finished in Azzurro Thetys, an exclusive Ad Personam palette colour. The exterior is defined by upper and lower carbon fibre packages, carbon -fibre roof and A -pillars, and matt -black detailing, creating a refined yet performance -focused presence. Inside, the Classica Ad Personam interior is finished in Blu Delphinus with Bianco Polar accents, complemented by inverted stitching, embroidered Lamborghini shields, carbon - fibre interior elements, a carbon-fibre steering wheel with Corsa Tex, ambient RGB lighting and the High Premium Sonus faber audio system.

East India: First Revuelto in the region with high-specs
The first Revuelto delivery in East India is finished in bold Giallo Auge and underlines the growing preference for vibrant, high-impact specifications. The interior is finished in Nero Ade with Giallo Taurus contrast elements, featuring inverted stitching, fully electric and heated comfort seats, carbon -fibre kickplates with a backlit Revuelto logo, ambient lighting, passenger display and the Sonus faber audio system.

West India: The most comprehensive-spec carbon-fibre Revuelto in the country
Lamborghini India has delivered a highly bespoke Revuelto featuring full exterior and interior Ad Personam carbon-fibre packages in Mumbai. The supercar is finished in Verde Metallic and highlighted with Bronzo Oreadi accents, including a livery stripe on the rear diffuser, The 21/22-inch Diamond Cut Altanero forged wheels combo is in bronze. Extensive carbon-fibre detailing, including aerodynamic door fins, makes this car one of the most comprehensively specced Revueltos in the country. The Classica Ad Personam interior features Nero Ade upholstery with Terra Emilia accents, inverted stitching, embroidered Lamborghini shields and a carbon-fibre steering wheel, paired with fully electric and heated comfort seats for a balance of luxury and performance. 

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Hyundai Motor India (HMIL), one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has announced that bookings for the Hyundai Venue have exceeded 100,000 units. To mark this milestone, the company has introduced the HX8 Diesel Automatic (AT) variant, priced at INR 1.36 million.

The new variant is powered by a 1.5L CRDi diesel engine is paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. This addition expands the Venue line-up, providing a diesel torque-on-demand option with an automatic gearbox for the compact SUV segment.

The HX8 variant includes several updates to the vehicle's interior, safety and mechanical systems. Notable mechanical additions include rear disc brakes and an electric parking brake with an auto-hold function.

The technical and convenience suite includes – paddle shifters, drive modes (Eco, Normal, Sport) and traction control modes (Sand, Mud, Snow). The cabin also gets front row ventilated seats, 4-way electric driver seat adjustment and ambient lighting. Over-the-Air (OTA) vehicle updates and Hyundai Bluelink connected car systems.

On the inside, it features a dual-tone leatherette seats featuring Venue branding.

The introduction of the diesel automatic transmission targets customers seeking fuel efficiency combined with the convenience of an automated gear shift. The Venue competes in the compact SUV category, supported by Hyundai’s existing sales and service network across India.

Tarun Garg, Managing Director & CEO, Hyundai Motor India, said, “We are delighted that the new Hyundai Venue has crossed 100,000 bookings, reaffirming the strong trust Indian customers place in our brand. This milestone reflects the growing aspiration for smart, connected and feature-rich mobility solutions that enhance everyday driving. The introduction of the new HX8 Diesel Automatic variant further strengthens the Venue lineup, offering customers the perfect blend of diesel efficiency, torque-rich performance and effortless convenience. It underscores our commitment to providing meaningful choices backed by advanced technology and superior value. At Hyundai, we remain focused on delivering future-ready products that resonate with evolving customer expectations and drive the next phase of mobility in India.”

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