Exclusive: Top 10 models command 64% of India’s car and SUV exports in Q1 FY2026

Every vehicle segment has its movers and shakers and the Top 10 exported passenger vehicles are no different. The first quarter of FY2026 – April-June 2025 – saw India Passenger Vehicle Inc register its highest-ever exports of 204,330 units, up 13% YoY (Q1 FY2025: 180,483 units). Sixty-four percent of this record total belongs to the Top 10 made-in-India vehicles shipped overseas, considerably improving upon their year-ago contribution of 53% to PV exports in Q1 FY2025.

As we revealed earlier this week, Maruti Suzuki India has already taken a commanding lead in PV exports in FY2026 with overseas shipments of 96,181 vehicles in April-June 2025 (up 37%) with its utility vehicles seeing more demand than its cars and sedan. Three months into the current fiscal, India’s No. 1 passenger vehicle exporter for the past four fiscals leads Hyundai Motor India by 48,041 units. Meanwhile, Nissan, Toyota and Mahindra & Mahindra are the other OEMs which have seen demand in overseas markets.

Therefore, it doesn’t come as a surprise that Maruti Suzuki has all of five models in the Top 10 most-exported PVs in Q1 FY2026. The Maruti Fronx, the No. 1 made-in-India export model in FY2025, continues its strong run as a result of handsome demand from Suzuki Motor Corp, Japan. Q1 FY2026 saw 23,071 units being exported, up 125% (Q1 FY2025: 10,26 units). This means the Fronx has already achieved 33% of its 69,133 units shipped overseas in FY2025. The Fronx’s total exports to date (till end-June 2025) are estimated to be 107,091 units comprising 14,887 units in FY2024, 69,133 units in FY2025 and 23,071 units in April-June 2025. This, as per Maruti Suzuki, makes the Fronx the fastest made-in-India SUV to clock export sales of 100,000 units.

The second most-exported model is the sixth-generation Hyundai Verna sedan with 15,764 units, up 13% YoY (Q1 FY2025: 13,962 units) and accounting for 33% of Hyundai India’s total exports of 48,140 vehicles. In FY2025, Hyundai Motor India exported 52,615 Vernas, which made it the most-exported passenger car – the Q1 FY2026 exports mean 30% of FY2025 exports have already been achieved with three quarters left to go in the current fiscal.

Demand from Japan, where the five-door Maruti Jimny is sold as the Suzuki Nomade, is the reason why the made-in-India Jimny ranks third in the Top 10 listing. With 14,913 units, the Jimny has posted strong 36% YoY. The Jimny’s export performance is in variance with its domestic sales – 1,484 units in April-June 2025.

The Hyundai Grand i10 hatchback with 13,075 units (up 27%) is ranked fourth in the Top 10 export model listing. In India, in Q1 FY2026, the small Hyundai has sold 12,718 units (down 17% YoY).

The Maruti Swift hatchback continues to see good demand and the 12,482 units (up 175%) and 7,944 additional units YoY are a pointer to suddenly accelerated demand, likely due to the new model being introduced in Maruti Suzuki’s key export markets. In FY2025, the Swift had clocked overseas sales of 35,952 units, up 8% YoY.

The Volkswagen Virtus sedan is ranked sixth amongst the Top 10 most exported models with 11,077 units, down 6% YoY. However, it has helped the German carmaker to move up the export OEM ranks to fourth place in Q1 FY2026 with total exports of 15,110 vehicles, which includes 4,033 Taigun SUVs.

Up next is the Hyundai Aura compact sedan, with 10,838 units and 20% YoY growth. In the domestic market, the Aura has sold 14,862 units between April and June this year.

The Nissan Magnite compact SUV has seen a spike in export demand – the 10,693 units are a handsome 194% jump on its year-ago shipments of 3,643 units – and give it eighth rank.

The Maruti Baleno premium hatchback comes in at ninth position with 10,221 units, with demand down 2% YoY and its followed by its sibling, the Maruti Dzire compact sedan which clocked exports of 8,253 units (down 24%).

Fronx’s total exports till end-June 2025 are estimated to be 107,091 units

FY2025 with exports of 770,364 PVs delivered 14.6% growth. Now, with Q1 FY2026’s 204,330 units (13.2%), FY2026’s first quarter has achieved 26% of last fiscal’s overseas shipments. If the same momentum is maintained, despite the current inclement geopolitical scenario, it will be reason enough for India Passenger Vehicle Inc to be pleased. 

Meanwhile, commenting on the recently signed India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA), Shailesh Chandra, President, SIAM and managing director of Tata Passenger Vehicles and Tata Passenger Electric Mobility said: “The Indian automobile industry congratulates the government of India for its tireless efforts in bringing the India-UK FTA to fruition. This landmark development marks a significant step forward in strengthening India’s global economic engagement, particularly with developed economies.”

He added: “As two major economies enter a new phase of partnership, SIAM appreciates the Government’s extensive stakeholder consultations throughout the negotiation process. Concluding this transformative agreement amid global trade uncertainties reflects India’s growing leadership in shaping modern trade and investment frameworks. The commitments made by the government of India on automobile sector tariffs strike a thoughtful balance — addressing consumer interests while supporting the broader goals of Indian industry.

“We view this agreement as part of a wider strategic engagement and believe it opens new avenues for collaboration and opportunity with a key global partner. SIAM remains committed to working closely with the government of India to ensure the benefits of the agreement translate into greater growth, global competitiveness, and technological progress for the Indian automotive industry.”

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