By Anushka Verma | Updated: October 5, 2025
Introduction: A Festive Spark Meets Market Shuffle
September 2025 marked one of the most dynamic months in India’s automotive landscape. The rollout of GST 2.0, coupled with the onset of the festive season, made it a crucial turning point for carmakers. Consumer sentiment began to strengthen, and car showrooms witnessed a surge in footfall during the Navratri pre-booking window.
However, the results were far from uniform. While some automakers capitalized on the tax relief and festive cheer to post record-breaking numbers, others faced demand slowdowns in their entry-level segments. The industry also saw a reshuffling of the traditional leaderboard — with one Indian automaker overtaking its Korean rival for the No. 2 spot for the first time in months.
Here’s a detailed look at how every major carmaker performed in September 2025, complete with sales data, year-on-year (YoY) growth, and indicative model price ranges.
September 2025 Car Sales Overview
| Rank | Brand | Total Sales (Units) | YoY Growth | Top Model | Avg. Price Range (₹ lakh) | Key Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maruti Suzuki | 1,89,665 | ▼ 8% | Swift, Baleno, Brezza | 5.99 – 14.29 | Record exports (42,204 units), domestic dip due to entry-level slowdown |
| 2 | Tata Motors | 60,907 | ▲ 47% | Nexon, Punch, Tiago EV | 6.49 – 17.99 | Best-ever month, Nexon hits 22,500 units, EV + CNG surge |
| 3 | Hyundai Motor India | 70,347 | ▲ 10% | Creta, Venue | 7.29 – 18.74 | SUV share 72.4%, Creta highest-ever sales |
| 4 | Mahindra & Mahindra | 1,00,298 | ▲ 16% | Scorpio-N, XUV700, Bolero | 9.99 – 24.00 | Strong UV sales, exports up 43% |
| 5 | Toyota Kirloskar Motor | 31,091 | ▲ 16% | Innova HyCross, Hyryder | 10.89 – 30.34 | Demand surge for HyCross hybrids |
| 6 | Kia India | 22,700 | ▲ 16% (MoM) | Seltos, Sonet | 7.79 – 19.39 | New Seltos facelift driving growth |
| 7 | JSW MG Motor India | 6,728 | ▲ 34% | Hector, Comet EV | 7.98 – 21.99 | MG 4 EV gaining traction |
| 8 | Nissan Motor India | 10,500 | ▲ 9.3% | Magnite | 6.0 – 10.79 | Record exports to South Asia |
| 9 | Honda Cars India | 8,096 | ▼ 26% | Amaze, City | 7.09 – 18.89 | Domestic slowdown, exports soften |
1. Maruti Suzuki: Still the Market Leader, but Entry-Level Pain Persists
Maruti Suzuki India maintained its undisputed leadership with 1,89,665 units sold, despite an 8% year-on-year decline. The bright spot was exports, which hit a record 42,204 units, marking a 52% jump compared to 2024.
However, domestic passenger vehicle sales — at 1,32,820 units — dipped due to a slowdown in demand for small cars such as the Alto and Celerio, as buyers increasingly shifted toward compact SUVs and CNG variants.
The company’s strong retail push during the Navratri opening week, with 1.65 lakh deliveries, underlines its readiness for the festive quarter.
Top Models: Swift, Baleno, Brezza, Ertiga
Price Range: ₹5.99 lakh – ₹14.29 lakh
2. Tata Motors: Homegrown Hero Climbs to 2nd Spot
Tata Motors emerged as the star performer of September 2025, posting its best-ever monthly sales of 60,907 units, a massive 47% YoY growth. This performance allowed Tata to overtake Hyundai in several market categories, climbing to the No. 2 position overall.
The Tata Nexon led the charge, achieving 22,500 units — the highest monthly sales ever for any Tata model. The company’s electric vehicle (EV) lineup also saw a remarkable 2x growth, with 9,191 units sold, and CNG variants surpassed 17,800 units.
Top Models: Nexon, Punch, Tiago EV, Altroz
Price Range: ₹6.49 lakh – ₹17.99 lakh
Highlight: Tata’s balance between EV, CNG, and ICE models continues to redefine India’s green mobility market.
3. Hyundai Motor India: SUVs Power Another Strong Month
Hyundai delivered 70,347 units, reflecting a solid 10% YoY increase. The company’s domestic sales stood at 51,547 units, while exports surged 44% to 18,800 units — led by demand from South American and African markets.
SUVs formed the backbone of Hyundai’s performance, contributing over 72% of total volumes. The Creta notched up its highest-ever monthly sales at 18,861 units, while the Venue reached an impressive 11,484 units, its best in 20 months.
Top Models: Creta, Venue, Exter, i20
Price Range: ₹7.29 lakh – ₹18.74 lakh
4. Mahindra & Mahindra: Consistent Strength in UVs
Mahindra continued its growth momentum with total sales of 1,00,298 units, up 16% YoY. Utility vehicles contributed 56,233 units, marking a 10% growth, while exports rose 43% to 4,320 units.
The Scorpio-N, XUV700, and Bolero Neo remained top-sellers, backed by strong rural and Tier-2 demand. Mahindra’s electric and hybrid strategy for 2026 was also teased during the month, signaling its next phase of expansion.
Top Models: Scorpio-N, XUV700, Bolero, Thar
Price Range: ₹9.99 lakh – ₹24.00 lakh
5. Toyota Kirloskar Motor: Hybrid Momentum Continues
Toyota posted 31,091 units, up 16% YoY. The brand’s hybrid strategy continues to pay off, with the Innova HyCross and Urban Cruiser Hyryder driving strong demand.
Toyota’s focus on fuel efficiency and reliability resonated with urban buyers, while fleet and corporate sales remained steady. The company is now planning to introduce a mild-hybrid Fortuner in early 2026.
Top Models: Innova HyCross, Hyryder, Fortuner
Price Range: ₹10.89 lakh – ₹30.34 lakh
6. Kia India: Back in the Growth Lane
Kia India sold 22,700 units, recording nearly 16% month-on-month growth. The newly updated Seltos facelift and refreshed Sonet contributed to this surge.
Strong dealer network support and aggressive marketing during Onam and Ganesh Chaturthi boosted retail volumes. Kia also hinted at expanding its EV lineup with the EV3 in 2026.
Top Models: Seltos, Sonet, Carens
Price Range: ₹7.79 lakh – ₹19.39 lakh
7. JSW MG Motor India: Steady Electric Growth
MG Motor India (now under JSW MG) recorded 6,728 units, a 34% YoY growth. The Comet EV and MG 4 saw strong traction in Tier-1 cities, while the Hector continued to hold steady.
The company’s push for EV localization and its plan to introduce a locally assembled MG 5 sedan in 2026 are expected to further strengthen its portfolio.
Top Models: MG Hector, Comet EV, MG 4
Price Range: ₹7.98 lakh – ₹21.99 lakh
8. Nissan Motor India: Export-Led Recovery
Nissan reported 10,500 units in total sales, marking a 9.3% YoY growth. While domestic sales stood at 1,652 units, exports surged to 8,872 units, driven by strong demand in South Asia — particularly Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, where shipments hit a record 1,120 units.
Nissan’s focus remains on the Magnite, which continues to be a top choice in the sub-compact SUV segment.
Top Model: Magnite
Price Range: ₹6.00 lakh – ₹10.79 lakh
9. Honda Cars India: Struggles Continue
Honda Cars India faced a difficult month, with overall sales dropping 26% to 8,096 units. Domestic sales fell to 5,303 units, and exports were limited to 2,793 units.
The lack of new launches in key SUV segments and the gradual phase-out of diesel variants continue to affect Honda’s market position. The upcoming Elevate Hybrid in 2026 is expected to revive interest.
Top Models: Amaze, City
Price Range: ₹7.09 lakh – ₹18.89 lakh
Segment Analysis: SUVs, EVs, and CNG Rule the Roads
- SUVs Dominate: Over 56% of total industry sales came from SUVs, driven by models like Tata Nexon, Hyundai Creta, and Mahindra Scorpio-N.
- EVs on the Rise: Tata, MG, and Mahindra together sold nearly 13,000 EVs, reflecting India’s steady move toward electrification.
- CNG Boom: With fuel prices still volatile, Maruti and Tata saw strong demand for CNG models, especially in urban areas.
- Exports Surge: Maruti, Hyundai, and Nissan benefited the most from international shipments, which rose by 31% industry-wide.
Expert Insights: What’s Next for October 2025
According to industry analysts, the festive quarter (October–December) will be the key performance window for automakers. GST 2.0’s initial tax adjustments have made mid-range cars more affordable, but supply chain tightness in specific EV components could limit availability.
Analysts expect Tata Motors to maintain its strong position, while Maruti Suzuki will likely rebound with aggressive offers on entry-level and CNG variants.
Meanwhile, Hyundai and Mahindra are gearing up for multiple new launches before Diwali, including updated versions of the Creta N Line and XUV.e8 prototype showcase.
Conclusion: A Turning Point for India’s Car Market
September 2025 was a month of contrasts — a record-breaking run for Tata, export highs for Maruti, and SUV strength across the board. The reshuffle at the top signals a changing era, one driven by technology, fuel efficiency, and evolving consumer choices.
With the festive season in full swing, October could witness even higher numbers as buyers rush to take advantage of festive discounts and new product launches.
India’s car market, once dominated by a handful of traditional players, is now more dynamic than ever — where innovation, electrification, and smart pricing decide who stays on top.
