Khyati Sharma 2026-09-03
India's passenger vehicle market delivered a strong performance in August 2026, with total wholesale volumes reaching 4,48,319 units, marking a 35.7% year-on-year increase over August 2025. Strong SUV demand, new model launches, improving consumer sentiment and expectations around the festive season supported the market during the month.
Maruti Suzuki continued to lead the Indian car market, while Tata Motors retained second place ahead of Mahindra. Hyundai remained fourth, whereas Kia moved ahead of Toyota to secure the fifth position. Nissan recorded the highest year-on-year growth among the top 10 brands.
| Rank | Car Brand | August 2026 Sales | August 2025 Sales | YoY Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maruti Suzuki | 1,76,971 | 1,31,278 | 34.8% |
| 2 | Tata Motors | 65,253 | 41,001 | 59.1% |
| 3 | Mahindra | 59,257 | 39,399 | 50.4% |
| 4 | Hyundai | 54,396 | 43,966 | 23.6% |
| 5 | Kia | 29,042 | 19,608 | 48.1% |
| 6 | Toyota | 28,410 | 29,302 | -3.0% |
| 7 | JSW MG Motor | 7,508 | 6,687 | 12.3% |
| 8 | Honda | 5,385 | 3,850 | 39.9% |
| 9 | Nissan | 3,426 | 1,384 | 147% |
| 10 | Renault | 3,012 | 1,936 | -5.5% |
Maruti Suzuki remained India's best-selling carmaker in August, recording 1,76,971 domestic passenger vehicle sales. The company registered a strong 34.8% YoY increase, compared with 1,31,278 units in August 2025.
The company's SUV and utility vehicle portfolio remained a major contributor to its performance. Maruti's utility vehicle range, including models such as the Brezza, Ertiga, Fronx, Grand Vitara, e Vitara, Invicto, Jimny, Victoris and XL6, recorded 79,045 units during the month.
Including exports and supplies to other manufacturers, Maruti Suzuki's overall August sales stood at 2,19,220 units.
Tata Motors secured the second position with 65,253 passenger vehicle sales in August 2026. Sales increased by around 59% YoY, making Tata one of the fastest-growing major carmakers during the month.
Tata's electric vehicle portfolio also continued to gain momentum. Its EV sales, including domestic and international volumes, reached 16,549 units, compared with 8,540 units in August 2025.
The strong performance helped Tata Motors maintain a comfortable lead over Mahindra in the monthly rankings.
Mahindra finished August in third place with 59,257 domestic SUV and utility vehicle sales, up approximately 50% YoY from 39,399 units in August 2025.
Mahindra's broader automotive business, including exports, recorded 1,07,648 units during August, representing a 42% YoY increase.
The company's SUV-focused product portfolio continued to be the key driver of its passenger vehicle performance.
Hyundai Motor India recorded 54,396 domestic passenger vehicle sales in August 2026, registering 23.6% YoY growth.
The company described August as its highest-ever domestic sales month for August, highlighting strong demand for its SUV and passenger vehicle range.
Hyundai's total sales, including exports, stood at 65,796 units, an increase of 8.8% compared with the previous year.
Kia climbed to fifth position in August with 29,042 units, recording a significant 48.1% YoY growth.
The company also achieved its highest-ever August wholesale performance since entering India. Strong demand for models such as the Seltos and Sonet helped support its overall volumes.
Kia's August performance allowed it to move ahead of Toyota in the monthly brand ranking.
Toyota recorded 28,410 domestic sales in August 2026, placing sixth in the brand ranking.
Unlike most of the leading manufacturers, Toyota reported a 3% YoY decline, compared with 29,302 units in August 2025.
The company also exported 4,432 vehicles during August, taking its total sales for the month to 32,842 units.
JSW MG Motor India registered 7,508 units in August 2026, marking a 12.3% increase compared with the same month last year.
The company continued to expand its portfolio in the electric and electrified vehicle space, while its broader SUV lineup contributed to monthly volumes.
Honda recorded 5,385 domestic passenger vehicle sales in August 2026. This represents a strong 39.9% YoY increase over the 3,850 units sold in August 2025.
The company attributed the improvement to festive-season demand and continued customer interest in its passenger vehicle range.
Nissan was the standout performer in percentage terms among the top 10 brands.
The company sold 3,426 units in August 2026, compared with 1,384 units in August 2025. This resulted in an impressive 147% YoY growth.
Demand for the Magnite and Gravite, along with the response to the newly launched Tekton, contributed to the improvement. Nissan also started exporting the Tekton during August.
Renault completed the top 10 ranking with 2,842 units in August 2026. Sales declined 5.7% YoY from 3,015 units in August 2025.
Despite the monthly decline, Renault's January-August 2026 domestic dispatches were substantially higher than the corresponding period last year, indicating that its overall year-to-date performance remained positive.
August proved to be a particularly strong month for India's passenger vehicle industry. The market's growth was broad-based, with most major manufacturers recording double-digit increases.
SUVs continued to play an important role in driving demand, while electric vehicles also recorded significant growth. Tata Motors, in particular, saw its EV volumes nearly double compared with August 2025.
The strong August numbers also come ahead of India's important festive sales period. Automakers are therefore expected to focus on maintaining inventory and meeting potentially higher demand in the coming months.
Overall, Maruti Suzuki continues to dominate the Indian market, but the battle for the positions behind the market leader remains highly competitive, particularly between Tata Motors and Mahindra and between Kia and Toyota.
Volkswagen
₹11.00 - 16.50 Lakh
