Domestic passenger vehicle wholesales rose 36.5% year-on-year in August 2026 to touch 4,39,309 units, recording the highest-ever dispatches for the month of August, according to data released by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) on Tuesday. The segment had registered 3,21,901 units in August 2025.
Rajesh Menon, Director General, SIAM, said, "The growth in August 2026 has been supported by a lower base of previous year". GST reforms introduced by the government in 2025 has helped boost the automotive industry on a year-on-year basis.
Two-Wheeler Wholesales Cross 20 Lakh Units in August
Two-wheeler wholesales expanded 10.5% to 20,34,698 units during the month, compared to 18,41,954 units in August 2025. Growth in the segment was led primarily by scooters, which climbed 23.8% to 8,55,715 units from 6,91,430 units a year earlier. Motorcycle dispatches rose at a more moderate pace of 2.4% to 11,33,047 units compared to 11,06,638 units, while moped volumes grew 4.7% to 45,936 units.
Three-Wheeler Sales Grow 22.8%, EV Segment Slips
Three-wheelers showed contrasting trends. Dispatches grew 22.8% to 93,764 units from 76,324 units in the year-ago period. Within the category, passenger carrier volumes rose 22.4% to 78,680 units, while goods carriers recorded a 34.9% increase to 13,320 units. On the other hand, electric three-wheelers reported contractions: e-rickshaw dispatches dropped 6% to 1,264 units, while e-carts declined 38.3% to 500 units.
Festive Season Expected to Boost Q2 Dispatches
Menon also highlighted the upcoming festive season, which could improve dispatch numbers further. "Festive demand is also expected to provide an additional boost, resulting in healthy Q2 numbers", Menon said.
PV Data Excludes Tata Motors Sub-Segments, Luxury Brands
SIAM noted that the passenger vehicle data includes Tata Motors' domestic sales only at the aggregate level without detailed sub-segment splits, while luxury carmakers BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar Land Rover, and Volvo do not report monthly numbers to SIAM. Excluding Tata Motors, total passenger vehicle dispatches stood at 3,74,056 units in August 2026 compared to 2,80,900 units in August 2025.