September 2025 Car Sales in India: Maruti Leads, Tata Regains No.2, SUVs Drive Growth

The Indian passenger vehicle market registered a strong upturn in September 2025, with leading automakers posting record-breaking numbers on the back of GST 2.0 price cuts and festive season demand. The month highlighted not only the dominance of Maruti Suzuki but also the increasingly fierce battle between Tata Motors, Mahindra, and Hyundai for the second spot in the sales charts.

Maruti Suzuki Maintains Leadership with Strong Exports

Maruti Suzuki remained India’s top-selling carmaker with 1,89,665 units sold in September 2025. Of these, 1,35,711 units were in the domestic market, 11,750 units supplied to other OEMs, and a record 42,204 units exported, marking the company’s highest-ever monthly exports.

The brand also reported impressive festive momentum, delivering 1.65 lakh units in the first eight days of Navratri alone. While compact cars such as the Swift, WagonR, and Baleno continue to anchor volumes, utility vehicles including the Brezza, Grand Vitara, and Victoris have maintained a strong presence in the premium segments.

Tata Motors Hits Record Sales, Regains Second Place

Tata Motors delivered its highest-ever monthly retail sales with 60,907 units, growing 47% year-on-year. Retail data showed 40,594 units registered on Vahan, confirming its regained second place after several months of close competition.

The Nexon was once again the star performer with 22,500+ units sold, while the Punch also sustained strong momentum. Tata’s EV portfolio surged to 9,191 units, up 96% YoY, underlining its leadership in the electric segment. CNG sales, too, reached a new peak with 17,800 units, a 105% YoY rise.

The GST-driven price correction in September doubled bookings in the latter half of the month, contributing significantly to this record performance.

Mahindra Posts Best-Ever SUV Sales

Mahindra reported 56,233 domestic utility vehicle sales, its highest monthly tally ever, reflecting a 10% YoY increase. Including exports, overall UV sales stood at 58,714 units.

Compared to August 2025’s 39,399 units, the September performance marked a strong 42% month-on-month jump. SUVs such as the Scorpio-N, Thar, and XUV700 remained key contributors, with sales surging during the opening days of the festive season. Mahindra highlighted that dealer-level retail sales grew nearly 60% during Navratri’s first nine days, underscoring strong festive traction.

Hyundai Achieves Record SUV Penetration

Hyundai Motor India sold 70,347 units in September 2025, registering 10% YoY growth. Domestic sales stood at 51,547 units, while exports surged to 18,800 units, the highest monthly figure in nearly three years.

The Creta midsize SUV led the charge with its best-ever monthly sales of 18,861 units, while the Venue compact SUV recorded 11,484 units, its best in 20 months. SUVs accounted for 72.4% of Hyundai’s domestic sales, the highest SUV contribution in its history, reaffirming the brand’s shift towards a utility vehicle-heavy portfolio.

The Battle for the No.2 Spot Intensifies

While Maruti Suzuki continues to dominate the market, the second position is increasingly contested between Tata, Mahindra, and Hyundai. September 2025 clearly highlighted this dynamic:

• Tata Motors surged with its record-breaking month.
• Mahindra reported its highest-ever SUV sales.
• Hyundai achieved record SUV penetration and export strength.

The ongoing GST 2.0 reforms, coupled with the festive season, have given all three automakers a strong push. With SUVs and electrified powertrains driving consumer demand, the coming months promise even more competition at the top of the sales chart.

With October expected to see sustained festive demand, supported by price corrections and attractive offers, India’s car market is poised for another strong quarter. The rise of SUVs, the growing acceptance of EVs, and record-breaking exports underscore the structural shifts reshaping India’s passenger vehicle industry.

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