Summary:
August 2026 auto sales showed healthy growth across passenger vehicles, two wheelers, electric vehicles and commercial vehicles, supported by improving demand ahead of the festive season. Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra, Bajaj Auto and TVS Motor reported strong year-on-year growth, while Maruti Suzuki also saw robust domestic sales. TVS Motor recorded a sharp 137% rise in electric two-wheeler sales, highlighting continued EV momentum. Uneven exports remained a concern for some manufacturers amid global uncertainties. Festive demand, rural recovery and export trends will be key factors to watch in the coming months.
Indian automobile companies reported a mixed but largely positive performance in August 2026, with strong growth across passenger vehicles, two wheelers, electric vehicles and commercial vehicles. The monthly sales data indicated improving demand ahead of the festive season, with companies such as Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra, Bajaj Auto and TVS Motor reporting strong year on year growth.
The industry continued to benefit from improving consumer sentiment, festive season demand and stronger rural activity. However, export performance remained uneven for some manufacturers due to global uncertainties and geopolitical challenges.
Tata Motors, Mahindra drive passenger vehicle growth
Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles recorded a strong performance in August, with sales rising 56% year on year to 67,753 units compared with 43,315 units in August 2025. Domestic passenger vehicle sales increased 59% to 65,253 units, while international business sales grew 8% to 2,500 units.
Mahindra & Mahindra also reported robust demand, particularly in SUVs and electric vehicles. The company’s overall auto sales increased 42% year on year to 1,07,648 vehicles, including exports. SUV sales rose 50% to 59,257 units, while commercial vehicle sales increased 28% to 42,337 units. Exports jumped 71% to 6,054 units, highlighting strong demand across markets.
The company also reported tractor sales of 29,507 units in August, up 5% year on year, supported by steady rural demand.
Maruti Suzuki sees strong domestic demand
Maruti Suzuki reported total sales of 2.19 lakh units in August 2026, marking a 21% increase compared with the previous year. Domestic sales rose 29% to 1.85 lakh units, while passenger vehicle sales increased 35% to 1.76 lakh units. Exports, however, declined 7% to 33,844 units.
The company’s SUV portfolio continued to perform well, with utility vehicle sales increasing to 79,045 units from 54,043 units last year. Compact and mid size models recorded sales of 77,166 units, compared with 59,597 units in August 2025.
Two wheeler segment gains momentum
Bajaj Auto reported a 28% year on year increase in total sales to 5.35 lakh units in August. Domestic sales increased 10% to 2.55 lakh units, while exports surged 51% to 2.80 lakh units. Two wheeler exports grew 53% to 2.41 lakh units and three wheeler sales increased 22% to 92,016 units.
TVS Motor reported 21% growth in total sales at 6.16 lakh units. Two wheeler sales increased 21% to 5.91 lakh units, while electric two wheeler sales jumped 137% to 59,453 units from 25,138 units last year. International business grew 29% to 1.74 lakh units.
Hero MotoCorp reported total sales growth of 2.6% at 5.68 lakh units. Domestic sales increased 4.5% to 5.42 lakh units, while exports declined 24.5% to 26,093 units. Motorcycle sales fell 1.5%, whereas scooter sales increased 42.8% to 74,547 units.
Festive season remains key growth driver
With the festive season approaching, automakers remain optimistic about demand recovery. Maruti Suzuki highlighted continued strong demand momentum, while Mahindra expects production and sales to benefit from festive season demand.
Overall, August sales numbers indicate that domestic demand remains healthy, particularly in SUVs, premium vehicles, electric two wheelers and commercial vehicles. The sustainability of this momentum will depend on festive season sales, rural demand and export recovery in the coming months.
