India’s Auto Industry Posts Mixed Q1 Performance as Passenger Vehicle Exports Hit Record High
- By MT Bureau
- July 15, 2025
India’s automobile industry delivered a mixed performance in the first quarter of 2025-26, with passenger vehicle exports reaching an all-time high even as domestic sales remained largely flat, according to data released by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) on Monday.
Passenger vehicle sales crossed the one million mark for the second consecutive year in Q1, reaching 1.01 million units, though this represented a 1.4 percent decline compared to the same period last year. The segment’s performance was buoyed by utility vehicles, which now account for 66 percent of passenger vehicle sales and posted 3.8 percent growth, whilst passenger cars declined 11.2 percent.
The standout performer was exports, with passenger vehicles achieving record Q1 exports of 204,000 units, marking a 13.2 percent year-on-year increase. This surge was driven by stable demand across most markets, with particularly strong performance in the Middle East and Latin America, alongside recovery in neighbouring markets such as Sri Lanka and Nepal.
"The performance of the Auto industry was relatively flat, though the retail registration for Passenger Vehicles, Two-Wheelers and Three-Wheelers were marginally higher than the previous Q1," said Shailesh Chandra, President of SIAM.
The two-wheeler segment faced headwinds with wholesale sales declining 6.2 percent to 4.67 million units due to inventory correction across the industry. However, retail registrations increased 5 percent during the quarter, driven by the marriage season and positive demand sentiments. Two-wheeler exports showed robust growth of 23.2 percent to 1.14 million units.
Three-wheelers achieved their highest-ever Q1 sales of 165,000 units, representing marginal growth of 0.1 percent. The segment benefited from increased economic activity supporting urban transportation demand and easier financing options. Exports in this category surged 34.4 percent to 96,000 units.
Commercial vehicles posted a marginal decline of 0.6 percent to 223,000 units, though exports grew strongly by 23.4 percent to around 20,000 units.
Looking ahead to Q2, SIAM expressed cautious optimism despite ongoing challenges. The upcoming festive season is expected to drive demand, particularly for passenger vehicles and two-wheelers, whilst an above-normal monsoon could aid rural income recovery.
"With the upcoming festival season coupled with the benefits of RBI repo rate cuts, we expect consumer sentiments to improve," Chandra added.
The Reserve Bank of India's cumulative repo rate cuts of 100 basis points over the past six months are expected to gradually ease borrowing costs, potentially boosting consumer sentiment and affordability.
However, supply-side challenges persist, particularly the recent export licensing requirement from China on rare earth magnets, which has raised concerns for original equipment manufacturers across all categories.
"Sales of Passenger Vehicles in Q1 of 2025-26 de-grew by (-) 1.4 percent, posting sales of 1.01 million units as compared to Q1 of previous year," said Rajesh Menon, Director General of SIAM.
In June alone, passenger vehicle sales declined 7.4 percent to 312,849 units, whilst two-wheeler sales fell 3.4 percent to 1.56 million units. Three-wheeler sales bucked the trend with 3.8 percent growth to 61,828 units.
The industry's overall domestic sales fell 5.1 percent in Q1 to 60.75 million units, reflecting the challenging operating environment facing India's automotive sector.
JSW MG Motor India Sells 6,578 Vehicles In August 2025
- By MT Bureau
- September 01, 2025
JSW MG Motor India, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has announced its wholesales for August.
The company marked a 52 percent growth YoY last month when it sold 6,578 units, as against 4,323 units a year ago.
The OEM attributed the healthy performance to the start of the festive season, which marked the highest deliveries for the automaker this year. The MG Windsor EV and the MG Comet EV saw a 5 percent 21 percent growth over July.
Furthermore, the company has been expanding its dealer network with three new facilities being inaugurated last month. With this the company now has over 543 sales and aftersales touchpoints across 270 cities, which enables to cover 90 percent of India’s geographical footprint.
BMW X5 Launched In India At Prices Starting INR 10.03 Million
- By MT Bureau
- August 28, 2025
BMW India has released the new BMW X5 at prices starting INR 10.03 million (ex-showroom). The cars are produced at the BMW Group Plant in Chennai and come with petrol and diesel engine options.
The ex-showroom prices for the new variants are as follows:
- BMW X5 xDrive30d: INR 10.23 million
- BMW X5 xDrive30d M Sport Pro: 11.5 million
- BMW X5 xDrive40i: INR 10.03 million
- BMW X5 xDrive40i M Sport Pro: INR 11.3 million
The new X5 models include a BMW Widescreen Curved Display, which combines a 12.3-inch information display and a 14.9-inch control display. The cars also feature Comfort Seats with electric adjustments and lumbar support. Standard equipment includes a Harman Kardon Surround Sound System and a 4-zone automatic climate control system.
Both the petrol and diesel engines are equipped with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology. The 3-litre 6-cylinder in-line petrol engine of the X5 xDrive40i produces 381 hp and 520 Nm of torque, accelerating from 0 to 100 kmph in 5.4 seconds. The 3-litre 6-cylinder in-line diesel engine of the X5 xDrive30d produces 286 hp and 650 Nm of torque, with a 0-100 km/h time of 6.1 seconds. Both engines also feature a 48V electrical motor.
The xOffroad package is now available for the X5, providing four driving modes: xSand, xRocks, xGravel and xSnow. The package also includes reinforced underbody protection.
Safety systems on the new X5 include Parking Assistant Professional with Surround View Camera, Reversing Assistant and Drive Recorder. The cars are also equipped with airbags, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) and an electronic immobiliser.
Maruti Suzuki True Value Attains Milestone Of Selling 6 Million Pre-Owned Vehicles
- By MT Bureau
- August 28, 2025
Maruti Suzuki True Value (MSTV), India's leading pre-owned car retail network, has attained a new sales milestone of selling over 6 million cars since its launch in 2001, which includes 492,697 vehicles in FY2024–25 alone.
The milestone, the company shared, highlights the channel's sustained growth and its status as a preferred choice for consumers seeking quality pre-owned vehicles.
Partho Banerjee, Senior Executive Officer of Marketing & Sales, Maruti Suzuki India, said, "As we celebrate the 6 million sales milestone, we are deeply grateful to all our valued customers for their trust in True Value cars," he said. "Established over two decades ago, Maruti Suzuki True Value has consistently been a top consideration for a diverse demography of customers as a reliable and safe pre-owned car channel."
Banerjee also noted that MSTV is especially popular with younger buyers, with an average customer age of 31. Eighty-five per cent of True Value customers are first-time car owners. The company's focus on "industry-leading services" is designed to provide customers with "complete peace of mind."
All Maruti Suzuki True Value-certified vehicles undergo a rigorous 376-point quality check and are refurbished with genuine Maruti Suzuki parts. The company stated it verifies each car's service history and documentation before it is offered for sale. To further build customer confidence, certified cars come with a warranty of up to one year and three free services.
At present, the company’s network includes 606 showrooms across 305 cities in India.
Skoda Teases New Vision O Concept Interior
- By MT Bureau
- August 25, 2025
Skoda has released a teaser video offering the first look inside its upcoming Vision O concept car, revealing a new interior design language. The car will be officially unveiled on 8th September in Munich.
The interior showcases the next evolution of the brand’s Modern Solid design philosophy, focusing on a customer-centric and sustainable approach. The design emphasises a spacious layout with clean lines for a harmonious feel.
Oliver Stefani, Head of Skoda Design, said, “The interior design concept of the Vision O showcases our commitment to combining simplicity and sustainability with enhanced comfort. The combination of clean lines and intuitive functionality reflect our efforts to create a harmonious and functional interior. It features materials and design elements that are not only aesthetically an evolution of our Modern Solid design language but also emphasise environmental responsibility.”
The interior features a minimalist, ergonomic design that prioritises practicality and intuitive functionality. It includes unique 3D-printed headrests for a comfortable and airy feel. Following circular economy principles, the materials used throughout the cabin are sustainable, with a focus on plant-based and compostable components to reduce the car’s environmental impact.
The Vision O will be a look at the future of Skoda’s estate segment.
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