Domestic automobile sales across major vehicle segments registered an 18.2 per cent year-on-year growth to 83.88 lakh units in the July-September quarter of FY 2026-27, with passenger vehicles, two-wheelers, three-wheelers and commercial vehicles recording their highest-ever second-quarter sales, according to the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM).
Passenger vehicle sales increased 30.7 per cent year-on-year to 13.61 lakh units during the quarter. Two-wheeler sales rose 15.2 per cent to 64.33 lakh units, while three-wheeler sales grew 23.6 per cent to 2.85 lakh units. Commercial vehicle sales registered a growth of 28.7 per cent to 3.09 lakh units.
SIAM Director General Rajesh Menon said all four major vehicle segments recorded their highest-ever sales for the second quarter of a financial year.
The industry body attributed the growth to improved affordability following GST 2.0, sustained rural and urban demand, healthy freight movement, infrastructure-led economic activity and a gradual vehicle replacement cycle.
In the passenger vehicle segment, utility vehicles continued to dominate, accounting for 68 per cent of total sales. Utility vehicle sales grew 34.2 per cent year-on-year, while passenger car sales increased 24.9 per cent during the quarter.
Among two-wheelers, scooters recorded a growth of 27.7 per cent, while motorcycle sales increased 7.4 per cent.
Exports also registered growth across several vehicle categories. Two-wheeler exports rose 27.7 per cent to 16.5 lakh units, marking the highest-ever second-quarter level. Three-wheeler exports increased 30.4 per cent to 1.6 lakh units, while commercial vehicle exports surged 72.5 per cent to more than 41,000 units.
However, passenger vehicle exports declined 5.2 per cent to 2.29 lakh units. SIAM attributed the decline primarily to a higher base and logistics constraints associated with the West Asia crisis.
Looking ahead, SIAM expects the automobile industry to maintain positive growth in the second half of FY 2026-27, supported by festive-season demand, new vehicle launches, infrastructure spending, fleet replacement and rising demand for last-mile mobility.
SIAM President Shenu Agarwal said the industry was looking forward to sustaining the growth momentum during the festive season, while remaining cautiously optimistic amid prevailing geo-economic uncertainties.
The industry body also flagged potential risks to demand from higher inflation, possible interest rate increases and geopolitical uncertainties. It noted that growth rates could moderate against a higher base in the coming quarters.
-ANI
