Demonstrates the performance of major automakers in January 2026 retail figures.
Explores passenger demand, growth factors, and trends among brands.
Retail sales of the majority of car segments increased encouragingly as the Indian auto industry began 2026. When compared to January 2025, retail sales of passenger cars (PVs) increased by 7.22% year over year to 5,13,475 units in January.
According to industry data, the retail of a wider range of vehicles, including tractors, commercial vehicles, two and three wheelers, increased by 17.61% overall. This wide expansion is ascribed to new product introductions, improved consumer attitude, and alluring early-year promotions.
SUVs and small SUVs maintained their appeal to consumers, solidifying their market leadership in India. Due to seasonal conditions and persistent buyer inquiries, demand in both rural and urban areas shown significant momentum.
Performance by Brand, Who Sold What
In January, Maruti Suzuki maintained its position as the market leader with the greatest retail sales. While Toyota and Kia demonstrated excellent year-over-year improvements, other big manufacturers, including Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra, and Hyundai, all achieved impressive results.
Outstanding Performers
With the help of well-liked SUVs like the Nexon and Punch, Tata Motors had one of the highest annual growth rates. Mahindra expanded considerably as well, continuing to appeal with tough utility vehicles. Hyundai's Creta and Venue models helped the company reach its highest domestic sales in January.
January 2026 Passenger Vehicle Retail Sales
This is a summary of the performance of the main automakers in January:
| Brand | January 2026 Sales (units) | January 2025 Sales (units) | YoY% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maruti Suzuki | 216,043 | 214,494 | 0.72 |
| Hyundai | 65,914 | 61,497 | 7.18 |
| Tata Motors | 63,558 | 54,885 | 15.80 |
| Mahindra | 63,366 | 54,916 | 15.39 |
| Toyota | 35,053 | 30,900 | 13.44 |
| Kia | 29,954 | 22,909 | 30.75 |
| Skoda VW | 9,794 | 9,562 | 2.43 |
| JSW MG | 5,926 | 6,762 | -12.36 |
| Honda | 5,848 | 7,968 | -26.61 |
| Renault | 4,839 | 3,966 | 22.01 |
| Nissan | 2,387 | 2,602 | -8.26 |
| BMW | 1,962 | 1,828 | 7.33 |
| Mercedes | 1,806 | 1,862 | -3.01 |
| Jeep/Citroen | 1,532 | 1,170 | 30.94 |
| Force Motors | 1,152 | 643 | 79.16 |
| Vinfast | 435 | 0 | - |
Outlook for the Upcoming Months
January has clearly improved, and the sector is feeling more confident going into 2026. With the sustained popularity of SUVs and the anticipated release of new models later this year, retail momentum is probably going to stay strong. India's passenger car market might see another year of strong, all-around growth if supply stability holds.
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