India’s passenger vehicle (PV) market exhibited robust performance in May 2026 despite a surge in fuel prices. Major automakers experienced healthy growth, driven by sustained consumer demand and a strong SUV segment. Domestic PV wholesales surged by over 25% year-on-year to nearly 4,40,000 units in May, a significant increase from around 3,51,000 units in the same period last year.
The largest carmaker in the country, Maruti Suzuki India, achieved its highest-ever monthly domestic sales by dispatching 1,90,337 passenger vehicles to dealers in May. The company saw a remarkable growth of 39.99% year-on-year, surpassing its previous record set in April this year with 1,87,704 units.
Maruti Suzuki’s SUV sales played a crucial role in driving growth, with a 57% year-on-year increase to nearly 54,000 units in May. Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles also reported strong growth, solidifying its position as the second-largest PV manufacturer in India by wholesale volumes. The company dispatched 59,000 units to dealers in May, marking a 30.53% increase compared to the same period last year.
Despite supply-side challenges, Mahindra and Mahindra sustained its growth momentum in May. The SUV manufacturer sold 58,021 units in the domestic market during the month, registering a 10.66% year-on-year growth, supported by continued demand for its SUV lineup, including the Scorpio N.
Toyota Kirloskar Motor reported domestic sales of 30,574 units in May, a 4.42% increase from the previous year. The company noted steady demand across its product range and achieved a milestone of 3,00,000 cumulative strong hybrid vehicle sales in India. Kia India also performed well, recording domestic sales of 27,586 units in May, a 23.62% year-on-year growth, driven by strong demand for its Seltos and Sonet SUVs, with the Seltos surpassing monthly sales of 10,000 units once again.
