October Car Sales: Passenger Vehicle Dispatches Cross 5 Lakh Units

Carmakers dispatched an estimated 5.25 to 5.3 lakh passenger vehicles to dealers in India in October, the first time monthly domestic wholesales have crossed 5 lakh, according to an IANS report carried by Telangana Today on 1 November. That is up 13 to 15 per cent from about 4.6 lakh units in October 2025. The numbers are industry estimates and company figures; the report does not name the data provider for the total.

Maruti at 2.12 Lakh, Tata Up 21 Per Cent

Company-wise domestic dispatches, as reported: Maruti Suzuki 2.12 lakh units (up about 20 per cent), Tata Motors 73,894 (up 21 per cent), Mahindra & Mahindra 73,338 (up 2 per cent, a record for the company) and Hyundai 62,799 (up 16.7 per cent). Hyundai MD and CEO Tarun Garg attributed the growth to “strong festive demand” and momentum in domestic and export markets. Mahindra’s automotive business president Velusamy R called October “a landmark month” for the company.

Wholesales Are Not Sales to Buyers

These are dispatches from factories to dealers, not sales to customers. Dhanteras and Diwali fall in early November, so dealers stocked up in October. Gaurav Vangaal of Mobility Global said October wholesales “largely reflect dealers stocking up ahead of peak festive deliveries”. Retail registrations for October may therefore look weaker than the wholesale numbers, with many deliveries slipping into November.

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A High Base and Cheaper Loans

The comparison base is unusual. In 2025, many buyers held off purchases ahead of a GST rate cut, and demand rebounded after the lower rates took effect in late September. The report also credits lower borrowing costs and recent income tax changes for helping affordability.

Electric vehicles also set a record. The Times of India reported that total EV registrations crossed 3.5 lakh units in October, including 2.24 lakh electric two-wheelers. Electric passenger car registrations rose 75 per cent from a year earlier but were 4 per cent lower than in September.

November Output Expected to Dip

Maruti produced nearly 2.6 lakh vehicles in October, an all-time high for the company, and output is expected to fall in November because of Diwali holidays. Retail registration data for November will show how much of the October stocking turned into sales to buyers. For other price and cost changes from 1 November, see our report on commercial LPG cylinder prices.

Source: Based on reporting by Telangana Today (IANS), Forbes India and The Times of India.

Image: IANS.