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Hyundai Venue Joins Select Band of Compact SUVs With 800,000 Sales

Ajit Dalvi — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 09:39:10

The Venue, Hyundai Motor India’s first-ever compact SUV and the company’s second best-selling SUV after the Creta midsize SUV, has achieved the 800,000 wholesale milestone in the domestic market. In the seven years since market entry in May 2019 till end-May 2026, the Venue has accumulated total sales of 802,221 units in the domestic market. An additional 55,000-plus units have also been exported, which takes total Venue sales to over 850,000 units.

Only two other rivals – the game-changing Maruti Brezza, which kickstarted the compact SUV segment in March 2016, and the Tata Nexon, launched in September 2017 – have sold more than the Hyundai Venue. While the Brezza tops with 1.45 million units, the Tata Nexon has sold 1.07 million units to date.
The first-gen Venue raced past its first 50,000 sales in just six months after launch, 100,000 in 15 months, 200,000 in 25 months, and 250,000 in 30 months. The 300,000 milestone was surpassed in April 2023, 36 months after launch. While the run from 200,000 to 300,000 units and thereafter to 400,000 units took an identical 11 months each, the 500,000 — or half-a-million — milestone was surpassed in November 2023, 600,000 in October 2024, and 700,000 in early September 2025, just before the second-generation Venue was launched. The rollout of the new Venue was a sales booster, and the last 100,000 units have been sold in nine months (September 2025-May 2026).

FY2024 (128,897 units) was the Venue’s best fiscal year. The launch of the second-gen Venue in September 2025 has given a new charge, and the last 100,000 units have been sold in 9 months.

The Maruti Brezza with 1.45 million units is the highest-selling compact SUV in India, followed by the Tata Nexon (1.07 million units) and the old and new Hyundai Venue (802,221 units).

The Hyundai Venue’s domestic market sales numbers (see data table above) show that the best 12-month performance came in FY2024 with 128,897 units, growing 7% YoY on FY2023’s 120,653 units. FY2025, with 119,113 units, however, saw Venue sales decline 7% YoY, with the model ranked fifth in the Top 10 compact SUV listing that fiscal. The rate of decline slowed down YoY in FY2026 (117,737 units, down 1%), and that’s mainly due to the launch of the second-generation Venue in November 2025. Monthly sales in CY2026 to date (January-May 2026) have averaged 11,637 units compared to 9,429 units – a YoY increase of 23 per cent.

From its launch in May 2019 to May 2026, the Venue accounted for 36% of Hyundai Motor India’s 2.21 million UV sales. The Creta, the company’s best-selling model and India’s No. 1 midsize SUV, with 10,60,664 units has a 48% share of the UV sales in the same 86-month period.
Compared to the first-gen model, the new Venue is 48mm taller and 30mm wider. The wheelbase has also grown by 20mm, now measuring 2520mm.

New Venue: Premium Urban Compact SUV With Strong Growth Potential

The Hyundai Venue is part of the most hotly contested sub-segment of the UV market: compact SUVs. This segment is populated by some high-selling models like the Tata Punch and Nexon, Maruti Brezza and Fronx, Mahindra XUV 3XO, sibling Exter, Toyota Taisor, Kia Syros, and the Skoda Kylaq.

The second-gen Venue, which is the first Hyundai model to roll out from the company’s new 170,000 units-per-annum plant in Talegaon, Maharashtra, has the ammo to take on the many rivals. Compared to the first-gen model, the new Venue is 48mm taller and 30mm wider. The wheelbase has also grown by 20mm, now measuring 2520mm.

There are two petrol engines on offer: an 83hp, 1.2-litre naturally aspirated engine and a 120hp, 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine (in the sportier Venue N Line). ARAI-certified mileage for the 1.2-litre petrol engine is 18.05kpl, while the turbo manual and DCT deliver better that, delivering 18.74kpl and 20kpl, respectively. The 1.5-litre diesel achieves 20.99kpl with the manual, albeit falls to 17.9kpl with the optional automatic.

Inside the cabin, the new Venue gets a curved display comprising two 12.3-inch screens (larger than even the Creta), a new steering wheel, a 360-degree camera and ventilated seats. On the safety front, the new Venue, which has a 5-star Bharat NCAP rating, gets six airbags (standard), disc brakes for all wheels, a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS), an electronic parking brake with auto hold, and a Level 2 ADAS suite. The Hyundai Venue’s price ranges between Rs 800,000 and Rs 15.65 lakh (ex-showroom), with 26 variants on offer. On April 20 this year, HMIL launched the Venue Knight Edition at Rs 970,000.

Demand for the new Venue continues to be strong. If the first two months of FY2027, with 24,134 units and robust 56% YoY growth (April-May 2025: 15,473 units), are any indication, then Hyundai Motor India could be looking at the Venue clocking its highest sales in a fiscal year in FY2027.

ALSO READ: Maruti Fronx Becomes First Nexa SUV to Register 500,000 Sales

SUV, MPV Sales Cross 3 Million for the First Time in FY2026, UV Share of PVs Jumps to 67%

Honda Clocks Highest Retail Sales of Activa-e and QC1 Electric Scooters in May

Ajit Dalvi — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 10:34:09

Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI), the ICE scooter market leader and the first of the three Japanese two-wheeler OEMs in India to enter the EV segment in early CY2025, has registered its highest retail sales (customer deliveries) in May 2026. As per the Vahan portal, HMSI delivered 520 units of the Activa-e and QC1 last month, which marks a 36% YoY increase (May 2025: 383 units).

This is the first time that the company has retailed over 500 units in a single month, beating the previous best of 461 units in July 2025 (see data table below). In the process, cumulative retail sales of the two Honda e-scooters have surpassed the 5,000-unit mark and stand at 5,439 units at end-May 2026. As per apex industry body SIAM data, total wholesales (factory dispatches) till end-April 2026 are 6,505 units with total production of over 11,000 units.

The 520 units delivered in May 2026 take HMSI’s cumulative retail sales past the 5,000 mark.

HMSI e-2W numbers, when compared to the two other legacy OEMs and e-2W market leaders TVS Motor Co and Bajaj Auto, which are averaging 35,000-40,000 units a month, are minuscule. Honda has recently been joined by Suzuki and Yamaha, the two other Japanese EV makers, in the Indian e-2W market.

While the Honda Activa e, which is equivalent to a 110cc ICE scooter, comes with two Honda Mobile Power Pack swappable batteries as its power source and is meant primarily for personal commuting, the Honda QC1 (equipped with a fixed battery) is targeted at gig-worker operations and is more of an affordable urban runabout.

The Activa e, which looks far more stylish than its hugely popular ICE sibling which is India’s longstanding best-selling scooter, has two variants: standard (Rs 119,912, ex-showroom) and RoadSync Duo (Rs 152,000). It has a 102km claimed IDC range, does the 0-60kph sprint in 7.3 seconds, and reaches a top speed of 80kph. The QC1, Honda’s more budget-friendly EV and essentially an eco-friendly urban runabout, has a claimed top speed of 50kph, does the 0-40kph sprint in 9.7 seconds, and delivers a claimed IDC range of 80km. Priced at Rs 90,487 (ex-showroom), the Honda QC1 is the most affordable Japanese electric scooter in India.

While Honda has retailed 1,574 e-scooters between January and May 2026, Suzuki has delivered 1,515 units of its e-Access in the past five months.

Honda ahead of Suzuki by 59 units after first five months of CY2026

Suzuki Motorcycle India, which entered the electric two-wheeler market with the launch of its e-Access in January 2026, has logged retail sales of 1,515 units till end-May 2026 as per Vahan. HMSI, with 1,574 units in the January-May 2026 period, is ahead of Suzuki by 59 units as a result of the 520 units sold last month. In the first four months of CY2026, Suzuki had outsold Honda but it looks like Honda is fighting back. And India Yamaha Motor, which launched its EC-06 e-scooter in early February, has clocked retail sales of 274 units till end-May 2026.

ALSO READ: Petrol Price Hikes Accelerate e-2W Sales for TVS, Bajaj, Ather, Hero Vida, Ola and GEM in May

Bajaj Auto Outsells Mahindra in Electric 3Ws For The Third Time This Year in May, TVS Shines

Ajit Dalvi — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 10:51:42

Similar to the electric 2-wheeler and passenger vehicle segments, there is an intense battle for leadership underway in the electric 3-wheeler segment, albeit in a much stronger manner. Longstanding market leader Mahindra Last Mile Mobility (MLMM) has seen a feisty challenger in Bajaj Auto, which entered this segment in June 2023. The third position on the podium now belongs to TVS Motor Co, which plugged into the e-3W industry in January 2025.

As they have been in the past year, retail sales in May 2026 continued to be dominated by these three legacy OEMs, which have diversified into e-mobility. As per the retail sales statistics on the Vahan portal, May saw new e-3W registrations of 71,865 units, up 9% YoY (May 2025: 66,185 units). This is the fourth highest monthly sales for India e-3W Inc after December 2025 (88,701 units), November 2025 (84,172 units) and January 2026 (76,046 units). Let’s take a quick look at the Top 10 e-3W OEMs from the 650-strong field.

May 2026, with 71,865 electric passenger and cargo 3Ws, is the fourth-highest monthly retail sales in India.

In May 2026, Bajaj Auto, which is also the world’s largest 3-wheeler manufacturer and exporter, registered its highest monthly sales of e-3Ws. At 11,904 units, the increase is 87% YoY (May 2025: 6,373 units) and gives the company a 17% market share compared to 10% a year ago. This record performance gives Bajaj Auto a lead of 735 units over MLMM (11,169 units) and marks the third instance of the Pune-based 3W major outselling the Mahindra EV arm. Bajaj had earlier outsold MLMM in January and February 2026. The company, which has the GoGo brand of passenger and cargo e-3Ws, forayed into the 40,000-units-per-month volume e-rickshaw passenger and cargo sub-segment with its Riki model in November 2025 and, more recently, expanded its passenger model portfolio with the Wego P9018, claimed to be India’s longest range (296km) e-3W. For the first five months of CY2026, Bajaj Auto (48,636 units) has a lead of 2,456 units over MLMM, as per Vahan.

Mahindra Last Mile Mobility though, is fighting back. The company, which had regained its lead over Bajaj Auto in March and April 2026, sold 11,169 units in May 2026. This is a strong 69% YoY growth and gives MLMM a 16% market share compared to 10% in May 2025. For the January-May 2026 period, MLMM (46,180 units) has a 13% e-3W market share. MLMM’s retail sales in May 2026 are its second-best monthly performance after October 2025 (11,870 units).

As the first legacy OEM to plug into e-mobility over a decade ago, MLMM has the largest e-3W portfolio, including the Treo, Treo Plus, Treo Zor, Treo Yaari, Zor Grand, e-Alfa Plus, e-Alfa Cargo and more recently the UDO. With the overall sales momentum expected to increase, expect MLMM to up the ante in the coming months.

Combined sales of Bajaj Auto, MLMM and TVS (26,663 units) give these legacy OEMs a 37% share of the 71,865 e-3Ws sold in May. While all the legacy OEMs saw growth, four of the Top 10 companies saw a sales decline.

TVS Motor Co, the latest legacy OEM to enter the e-3W market, holds onto the No. 3 rank it first achieved in January and maintained since then. In May, the company delivered 3,590 units, up 122% YoY (May 2025: 1,607 units) to achieve a 5% market share which is similar to that in April (3,296 units). This is TVS’ highest monthly sales since it entered the e-3W industry and reflects a positive market response to its King EV Max passenger and King Kargo HD EV models in a competitive market. In the January-May 2026 period, TVS has sold 15,093 units which gives it a 4% share.

At No. 4 is the Delhi-based YC Electric Vehicles with 2,269 units, down 38% YoY. The advance of the top three legacy OEMs has impacted companies like YC Electric. This longstanding player has five models – Yatri Super, Yatri Deluxe, and Yatri for passenger transport, and E-Loader and Yatri Cart for cargo operations.

Dilli Electric Auto with 1,501 units was down 13% YoY last month. This Haryana-based company manufactures electric rickshaws (CityLife brand), a category which has come under attack from legacy players like MLMM, Bajaj Auto, TVS and TI Mobility, which are rolling out better-built and safer products. The impact of increasing competition in the volume e-rickshaw market can be seen in Dilli Electric Auto’s reduced market share.

Saera Auto, another well-entrenched OEM for many years, is also feeling the heat of the legacy OEM competition. The Rajasthan-based company, which manufactures the nine-model Mayuri brand of electric rickshaws, sold 1,458 units in May 2026, down 27% YoY.

Seventh-ranked Piaggio Vehicles sold 1,251 -3Ws last month, up 20% YoY (May 2025: 1,043 units). JS Auto (1,156 units, up 15%), Mini Metro (1,046 units, down 12%) and Zeniak Innovation (956 units, up 23%) wrap up the Top 10 list for May.

Compared to electric 2Ws and passenger vehicles, electric 3Ws have the highest level of penetration. In May 2026, of the total 111,523 3Ws (across fuels) sold in India, e-3Ws (71,865 units) accounted for a 64% share compared to 61% a year ago. In comparison, the penetration level for CNG 3Ws (24,093 units, down 5% YoY) dropped marginally to 22% from 23% in May 2025.

ALSO READ: Petrol Price Hikes Accelerate e-2W Sales for TVS, Bajaj, Ather, Hero Vida, Ola and GEM in May

Tata and M&M Power Record Sales of Electric Cars, SUVs in May Amid Petrol-Diesel-CNG Price Hikes

Petrol Price Hikes Accelerate e-2W Sales for TVS, Bajaj, Ather, Hero Vida, Ola and GEM in May

Ajit Dalvi — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 09:43:09

As it has done from March 2026, the domestic electric 2-wheeler (e-2W) industry has again delivered a stellar performance in May 2026. The 170,570 zero-emission scooters, motorcycles and mopeds registered last month are a 63% YoY jump (May 2025: 104,896 units) and the second highest monthly score for the segment after March 2026 (199,268 units). While the combined sales of the first two months of FY2027 at 327,895 units are also up 63% YoY (April-May 2025: 201,350 units), cumulative sales in the first five months of CY2025 at 774,807 units constitute a 48% YoY increase (January-May 2025: 522,868 units).

Combined sales of the Top 4 OEMs – TVS, Bajaj, Ather and Hero Vida – at 128,819 units give them a 75% share of May retails of 170,570 units, the second highest monthly total for the e-2W industry.

While India e-2W Inc had opened FY2027 on a strong note with 157,325 units and 63% growth, retail sales in May 2026 got a booster shot from the sharp increase in the price of petrol, which likely saw some ICE 2W buyers go electric to save money on costly petrol. The second fortnight of May saw oil marketing companies implement four hikes in petrol price in a span of 10 days, starting May 15. In Mumbai, petrol (priced at Rs 104.21 on May 14) became costlier by Rs 7 and 7% to Rs 111.21 a litre.

A quick look at the Vahan-sourced retail sales data for the first half of May and the second half reveals just how strongly the market has reacted. While the May 1-15 period saw a total of 66,487 e-PVs sold, the May 16-31 period saw deliveries of 104,083 units. Percentage-wise, this works to 39% in the first-half and 61% in the second-half of the month. Interestingly, this is the same level of buying seen in the electric passenger vehicle segment in May 2026.

The surge in demand was powered by the top 10 players led by TVS Motor Co, Bajaj Auto, Ather Electric, Ola Electric and Greaves Electric Mobility. While the top four OEMs clocked their second-highest monthly sales to date, a few others posted their best-ever numbers. Let’s take a closer look at their performance in a month which sets the tone for a record FY2027.

Market leader TVS Motor Co delivered 42,415 e-scooters in May 2026, up 64% YoY (May 2025: 25,804 units). This gives the company a 25% e-2W market share for the month and is its second-highest monthly retail sales after the record 51,593 iQubes and Orbiters sold in March 2026. What has helped drive demand is the strategic move to offer the Battery-As-A-Service (BaaS) across its EV portfolio. The BaaS model lowers the upfront cost, while offering customers long-term battery assurance and peace of mind. While the flagship iQube remains the model with the highest share of sales, the Orbiter is witnessing growing demand. Two months ago, TVS launched a new edition in the form of the Orbiter V1 (1.8 kWh) at Rs 84,500 (ex-showroom Delhi, inclusive of PM e-Drive) and Rs 49,999 (with BaaS).

The surging demand for its e-scooters has seen TVS expand its EV manufacturing capacity. Speaking at the Q4 FY2026 earnings call on May 13, K N Radhakrishnan, CEO, TVS Motor Co, said: “Last year, our (monthly) average was about 32,000. We have now moved to around 40,000, and we will soon move to 50,000 (units) per month. We will definitely be ahead of the industry. We are constantly looking at our capacity versus demand and expansion in the network.”

Bajaj Auto sold 39,142 Chetak scooters in May 2026, up 73% YoY (May 2025: 22,643 units). Like TVS, this is also the second-highest monthly retail sales for Bajaj after March 2026 (47,733 units). Last month was also the closest Bajaj has been to arch rival TVS in the past five months. In May, the difference was 3,273 units compared to January (9,559 units), February (7,156 units), March (3,860 units) and April (5,556 units). In May, Bajaj had a 23% share of the e2W market compared to 22% in May 2025.

Following the launch of the Chetak C25 in January this year, the Pune-based auto major has seen a sharp spike in demand. The C25, which expands the Chetak portfolio to five variants including the 3001, 3503, 3502 and 3501, retains the iconic Chetak design language despite being built on a ground-up new architecture with every panel redesigned. It is understood Bajaj Auto plans to further expand its e-scooter portfolio in FY27. According to Rakesh Sharma, joint MD, Bajaj Auto, the new products will include changes in “form and features,” indicating that Bajaj Auto may look beyond battery-size upgrades. “You are going to see new scooters, but they will all be under the Chetak umbrella,” he added.

Third-ranked Ather Energy continues to witness strong growth and doubled its sales YoY. The EV start-up, which surpassed 600,000 cumulative retail sales recently, delivered 28,211 units to its customers in May 2026. Like TVS and Bajaj, this is also its second-highest monthly sales after March 2026 (36,333 units) and gives it a 17% market share with handsome 100% YoY growth (May 2025: 14,101 units). This is the seventh instance of the smart e-scooter start-up clocking 20,000-plus sales. The Rizta family e-scooter, which has crossed the 300,000 wholesales milestone, remains its most popular product in a portfolio which includes the 450X, 450S and 450 Apex.

Hero Vida, the EV arm of Hero MotoCorp, is now well entrenched as the No. 4 e-2W OEM. In May 2026, the company sold 19,051 units, up 158% YoY (May 2025: 7,385 units). This gives Hero MotoCorp an e-2W market share of 11% for May. In fact, the strong growth means that with a 11% market share versus 7% in May 2025, Hero Vida has made the highest e-2W share gains. Last month also saw cumulative sales of the Vida brand surpass 250,000 units. The surge in demand for Hero Vida e-scooters has come over the past 18 months. While the first 100,000 sales took 33 months, the run from 100,001 to 200,000 units took a little over seven months. The last 50,000 units to achieve the 250,000 milestone have delivered in less than 90 days or three months.

Meanwhile, Ola Electric, the market leader not very long ago, is back in the ‘game’ with a revival in demand. In May, Ola maintained its No. 5 rank for the third month in a row with sales of 15,141 units. This is its best performance in the past five months after January (7,808 units), February (4,167 units), March (10,256 units) and April (12,327 units). However, year on year, Ola’s May 2026 numbers are still down by 20% (May 2025: 18,967 units). Its market share in May was 9%, halved from the 18% it had in May 2025. The company is putting its shoulder to the wheel to recover sales and market share.

Ola has cited strong sales recovery across states along with stabilised services. In its Q4 FY202 commentary, the company said: “The most important operating development of the quarter was service. It was the largest constraint on demand and brand trust through FY26. That has now materially stabilised. Average service TAT reduced by 88%, from around 9 days in October 2025 to nearly 1 day in March 2026. Service backlog reduced from 14 days to 6 days. Same-day closures improved to about 87%, and parts pendency reduced by 69% from October to April. This came from better parts stocking, higher technician productivity, stronger repair capability, tighter daily governance and a shift from replacement-led to repair-led economics.”

Greaves Electric Mobility (GEM), the EV division of Greaves Cotton, also witnessed a surge in demand for its e-scooters. GEM sold 7,696 units last month – this makes for 78% YoY growth (May 2025: 4,325 units) and is the company’s second-highest month after March 2026 (7,979 units). The strong performance sees GEM’s e-2W share rising to 4.51% from 4% a year ago. On April 24, GEM launched the new Ampere Magnus Neo, a lighter and redesigned variant which is aimed at urban commuter buyers. GEM’s EV portfolio comprises the Nexus (EX and ST), Magnus (G Max, Grand, Neo) and Reo 80 brands.

Bengaluru-based River Mobility, which is witnessing growing demand for its sole product – the River Indie – delivered 3,717 units, up 245% YoY (May 2025: 1,078 units). This sees the company double its e-2W market share to 2 per cent. The EV startup had clocked its highest monthly sales in March 2026 (4,254 units) and has sold 37,230 Indies to date since the e-scooter’s rollout in October 2023.

Another EV startup, Bgauss Auto, which began sales in August 2022 and is now a regular in the monthly Top 10 OEM list, sold 3,296 units last month, up 205% YoY (May 2025: 1,082 units) to be ranked eighth.

In its second listing in the monthly Top 10, Haryana-based Bounce Electric has moved up from No. 10 in April to No. 9 in May with 1,346 units, up 163% YoY on a low base of 512 units a year ago.

Wrapping up the Top 10s, Simple Energy, which is also witnessing good demand for its e-scooters, sold 1,288 units last month, up 338% YoY (April 2025: 235 units). The company, which has a three-model portfolio in the form of the Simple One (4.5 kWh, 5 kWh), OneS and the recently launched Ultra, has outlined a future sales target of 10,000 units a month by March 2027. The company could be banking on the upcoming e-scooter, understood to be called the Simple Arrive, which is a family-centric model which could rival the TVS iQube, Ather Rizta and Bajaj Chetak.

These Top 10 e-2W OEMs with 161,313 units had a 94% share of the 170,570 e-scooters, bikes and mopeds sold in May, leaving the balance 6% to be fought over by the remaining 165 players.

TVS and Bajaj in Pitched Battle for Supremacy
The Indian e-2W market currently has 175 companies vying for a slice of the booming sales. However, the Top 6 – TVS Motor Co, Bajaj Auto, Ather Energy, Hero MotoCorp, Ola Electric and Greaves Electric Mobility – command the bulk of the sales. In May 2026, combined sales of these six EV makers at 151,656 units accounted for 89% of the 170,570 e-2Ws sold.

Nevertheless, the top two players, TVS and Bajaj Auto, continue to slug it out month after month. TVS, which had grabbed market leadership for the first time in April 2025 by unseating Ola Electric, has maintained its numero uno status since then. However, a resurgent Bajaj Auto is snapping at its heels, and it will be interesting to see how this battle between these two legacy OEMs, which have diversified into e-mobility in January 2020, pans out this year. Stay firmly plugged into Autocar Professional as we bring you the latest market updates and real-world retail sales statistics on EVs on two, four and more wheels.

ALSO READ: Tata and M&M power record sales of electric PVs in May amid petrol-diesel-CNG price hikes

Tata and M&M Power Record Sales of Electric Cars, Suvs in May Amid Petrol-Diesel-CNG Price Hikes

Ajit Dalvi — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 09:49:33

Demand for electric passenger vehicles (e-PV) soared to a new monthly high of over 26,000 units in May 2026, propelled by the four price hikes for petrol and diesel and two for CNG last month. As per the retail sales data on the Vahan portal (as of June 1, 6 am), the 17 e-PV manufacturers delivered 26,221 zero-emission hatchbacks, sedans, SUVs and MPVs to customers last month, registering stellar 80% YoY growth (May 2025: 14,580 units). This number is expected to increase by another 1,500-2,000 units once all new EV registrations from RTOs nationwide are factored in.

May 2026 is the fourth month in this year to register over 20,000 sales and beats the previous best of 25,250 units in April 2026. In fact, it is only the sixth instance of the e-PV industry crossing 20,000-unit sales after August 2025 (20,202 units), October 2025 (20,975 units), January 2026 (21,399 units), March 2026 (24,635 units) and April 2026 (25,250 units).

May 2026 (26,221 units) sets a new benchmark for India e-PV Inc. While 10,304 units were sold in the first half, 15,917 units were sold in the May 16-31 period, which saw petrol-diesel-CNG price hikes.

The second fortnight of May saw oil marketing companies implement four hikes in petrol and diesel prices in a span of 10 days, starting May 15. In Mumbai, petrol (priced at Rs 104.21 on May 14) became costlier by Rs 7 and 7% to Rs 111.21 a litre. Diesel took a bigger hit – at Rs 97.83 a litre, it turned Rs 7.82 and 8.68% costlier (Rs 90.01 on May 14). CNG rates too have been hiked, albeit the rise is more muted – at Rs 86 per kg, CNG price has risen by 6% over the Rs 81 in April 2026.

A quick look at the Vahan-sourced retail sales data for the first half of May and the second half reveals just how strongly the market has reacted. While the May 1-15 period saw a total of 10,304 e-PVs sold, the May 16-31 period saw deliveries of 15,917 units. Percentage-wise, this works to 39% in the first-half and 61% in the second-half of the month.

The surge in demand was powered by the top two players – Tata Motors and Mahindra & Mahindra – both registering their highest monthly retail sales yet, even as a few other players from the 17-member e-PV segment also posted their best-ever numbers. Let’s take a closer look at their performance in a month which sets the tone for a record FY2027.

Market leader Tata Motors, which launched the new MY2026 Tiago EV on May 28 at a very aggressive starting price of Rs 699,000 with the same 19.2kWh (226km range) and 24kWh (285km range) battery options, had an outstanding month of sales. The car and SUV manufacturer delivered a record 10,231 EVs, up 102% YoY (May 2025: 5,068 units) to achieve the 10,000-units monthly retail milestone for the first time. As a result, Tata Motors’ market share grew to 39%, up from the 35% it had in May 2025.

The new Tiago EV’s launch comes on the back of the rollout of the new Punch EV in February this year. Both these hatchbacks have a large percentage of first-time EV buyers albeit the new Tiago EV is expected to draw new buyers transiting from ICE hatchbacks, particularly in the wake of the recent petrol-diesel price hikes.

While the Harrier EV has helped revive demand, the Nexon EV continues to rule the company’s sales chart. The Curvv coupe-SUV, however, is yet to achieve proper sales traction for Tata Motors, whose EV portfolio also includes the Tigor (XPres-T). The company, which clocked record retails of 85,470 EVs in FY2026, had seen its e-PV market share drop to 39% last fiscal from 53% in FY2025. That’s mainly due to the rapid advance of JSW MG Motor India and Mahindra & Mahindra, even as three new players – Maruti Suzuki India, Vinfast and Tesla – entered the market last fiscal. The MY2026 Tiago EV, which continues the brand’s draw of being the most affordable e-PV in India, should give Tata Motors plenty more ammo for higher sales and market share.

Mahindra & Mahindra, which is riding high on demand for its trio of Electric Origin SUVs – BE6, XEV 9e and XEV 9S – whose cumulative sales have crossed 65,000 units including 55,000 retails, has outsold JSW MG Motor India for the third straight month. In May, M&M delivered 6,133 e-SUVs to customers, crossing the 6,000-unit mark for the first time with robust 96% YoY growth (May 2025: 3,130 units). This gives it a 23% e-PV share, improving upon the 21% it had a year ago. May 2026 also marks M&M’s highest monthly EV score, beating the previous best of April 2026 (5,853 units).

While the BE 6 and XEV 9e, launched 15 months ago, continue to see demand, the XEV 9S, M&M’s first three-row, born-electric SUV launched last November, has given M&M a new charge. The XEV 9S, which has battery options spanning 59 kWh, 70 kWh and 79 kWh, slots above the XEV 9e and BE 6, both of which are two-row EVs.

JSW MG Motor India, now pushed to the No. 3 position on the e-PV podium, sold 4,936 units last month, up 7% YoY (May 2025: 4,594 units). This gives it an 19% e-PV market share in May 2026, substantially down from the 31% it had in May 2025. The game-changing Windsor EV remains its best-selling product from a portfolio which includes the M9 MPV, Cyberster roadster, ZS EV and Comet EV.

Maruti Suzuki India, which surpassed deliveries of 1,000 units for the first time in April, is among the e-PV OEMs to hit a new high with deliveries of 1,577 e-Vitara SUVs, which gives it a market share of 6% and the fourth rank in May. It is understood that due to production constraints, the company has allocated between 2,000-2,500 units for the domestic with far more for exports. In fact, the e-Vitara (25,549 units) was the fifth most-exported SUV in FY2026 after the Maruti Fronx (90,186 units), Jimny (72,209 units), Nissan Magnite (56,704 units) and the Toyota Hyryder (38,854 units).

Vinfast India, the local arm of Vietnamese EV major Vinfast, registered its second-highest monthly sales since its market entry last year. It is ranked fifth amongst the 17 e-PV OEMs with 1,224 units which give it a 5% e-PV share. Vinfast’s May sales though are 5% lower than the 1,288 units it sold in April 2026. Vinfast began deliveries of the locally assembled VF6 and VF7 e-SUVs in October 2025, followed more recently by the VF MPV7 which is claimed to deliver 517km range on a full charge.

Vinfast will be looking to achieve higher sales traction when it launches the VF5 hatchback, which is likely to go head-to-head against the Tata Tiago EV or Punch EV, depending upon its specifications.

Sixth-ranked BYD India, the local division of China’s BYD, also scaled a new high in May with 683 units, up 28% YoY (May 2025: 533 units). Its previous best was in October 2025 (615 units). On May 1, the company increased prices across its EV portfolio by Rs 50,000 to Rs 100,000 covering the Atto 3 SUV, e-Max 7 MPV, Seal sedan and Sealion 7 SUV. Current ex-showroom prices start from Rs 24.99 lakh for the entry level Atto 3 through to Rs 49.40 lakh for the top-spec Sealion 7. The company has announced a further hike, expected to range between 1-2%, from July 1 which is possibly why there was a surge in sales last month.

Hyundai Motor India, which continues to feel the heat of the intense competition in the e-SUV market, sold 454 EVs, down 37% YoY (May 2025: 719 units). The company, whose e-PV share is down to less than 2% from 5% a year ago, continues to see tepid demand for its main product – the Creta EV – and the Ioniq 5.

Kia India , with 345 units, up 741% on a low year-ago base of just 41 units, is ranked ninth on the e-PV ladderboard. Following the launch of the mass-market Carens Clavis EV MPV, which joined the far more expensive EV6 and EV9 imported as CBUs, Kia had seen its monthly numbers improve last year. However, after having posted strong sales last August (465 units), September (530 units), October (681 units), November (480 units), demand has dropped in CY2026: January (397 units), February (368 units), March (512 units), and April (401 units).

The top three OEMs – Tata Motors, M&M and JSW MG Motor – between them accounted for 81% of the record 26,221 electric cars and SUVs sold in May 2026.

Luxury Carmakers Register Record Sales of Over 600 Units in May

In tandem with the mass-market electric car and SUV OEMs, demand for luxury cars, SUVs and sedans also registered handsome growth last month. In May 2026, total retail sales of the eight OEMs in this sub-segment were 616 units, up 68% YoY (May 2025: 366 units). This strong performance was driven by the top two OEMs – BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

BMW India, which topped the luxury e-PV category in FY2026 with a record 3,898 e-PVs and is ranked No. 8 amongst the 17 e-PV OEMs in May, maintained its No. 1 status with 345 units, up 72% YoY (May 2025: 201 units), which gives it a 56% share for last month. However, its May 2026 sales are still below what the company sold in March 2026 (520 units).

Mercedes-Benz India, with 204 EVs sold last month, up 67% YoY (May 2025: 122 units) registered strong growth on the back of the launch of the CLA electric sedan in end-April priced from Rs 55 lakh to Rs 59 lakh (ex-showroom). Based on the Mercedes-Benz Modular Architecture (MMA) EV-first platform, the CLA EV replaces the combustion-powered A Class sedan, plus the EQA and EQB electric SUVs in India. This technology-led model built on a new dedicated EV architecture with an 800-volt system and the brand’s latest MB.OS operating system serves as a foundation for a new generation of software-defined vehicles in the company’s global portfolio.

BMW maintained its strong lead in the luxury electric car and SUV segment with 345 units and a 56% share. Mercedes-Benz also registered strong sales of 204 units, up 67% YoY for a 33% share.

Meanwhile, Tesla, which expanded its portfolio in India with the extended-wheelbase six-seater Model Y L, sold 35 units last month. This takes its cumulative sales in the past nine months to 424 units, far lower than what was expected from the American EV maker. In an effort to draw more buyers to its first product in India – the Model Y e-SUV – Tesla India has slashed this e-SUV’s price to Rs 50.89 lakh (ex-showroom), down by Rs 900,000. The Model Y Premium AWD variant, which had a price sticker of Rs 61.99 lakh, has been discontinued and leaves the Model Y Premium RWD as the sole variant. It remains to be seen if this strategy clicks in one of the world’s most price-sensitive automobile markets. Tesla India’s highest monthly sales to date have been 69 units in September and December last year.

Volvo India, which hiked the prices of its products by up to Rs 100,000 from May 1, citing ongoing global supply-chain challenges and fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, sold 28 units in May 2026, down 22% YoY (May 2025: 36 units).

German sports car maker Porsche sold 4 units last month, twice the number it sold in May 2025. The remaining three other luxury carmakers – Audi, Rolls-Royce and JLR – did not sell a single EV last month, as per Vahan.

In terms of EV market penetration, the eight luxury EV OEMs had a 2.34% share of the 26,221 e-PV sold in May 2026 compared to 2.51% in May 2025. Over the past four fiscals, demand for luxury cars, SUVs and sedans has risen by 450% from 986 units in FY2023 to 5,450 units in FY2026. FY2027 looks set to drive in the same growth lane. In the first two months of the new fiscal year, sales have already crossed 1,100 units, which sets the foundation for a new fiscal-year high for luxury EVs.

Growth Outlook for Electric Passenger Vehicle Industry in FY2027

The shifting consumer and automobile market dynamics, as a result of the West Asia crude oil crisis and the resultant price hikes in petrol, diesel and CNG, could be likened to a GST 2.0-driven surge in demand for electric vehicles in India.

While the volume segment of electric 2-wheelers will, of course, lead the charge for the domestic EV industry, the electric 3-wheeler segment will also witness a good spike in demand this fiscal. The same can also be expected in the electric passenger vehicle segment. Given that combined retail sales in April and May 2026 have already surpassed 50,000 units, FY2027 should see e-PV sales cross the 300,000 milestone for the first time. This growth will be driven by new products, including new and affordable hatchbacks from Tata Motors, the ramp-up of manufacturing capacity by an aggressive Mahindra & Mahindra, which has unseated JSW MG Motor India from the No. 2 spot and a growing consumer shift from ICE to EVs. Meanwhile, Toyota Kirloskar Motor has also plugged into the market with the new Urban Cruiser Ebella, the first Toyota EV in India and a badge-engineered version of the Maruti e-Vitara. Stay firmly plugged into the India EV growth story as Autocar Professional brings you up-to-date on the latest action and numbers from the zero-emission vehicle marketplace.

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Tata and M&M Power Record Sales of Electric Cars, Suvs in May Amid Petrol-Diesel-CNG Price Hikes

Ajit Dalvi — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 09:49:33

A quick look at the Vahan-sourced retail sales data for the first half of May and the second half reveals just how strongly the market has reacted. While the May 1-15 period saw a total of 10,304 e-PVs sold, the May 16-31 period saw deliveries of 15,917 units. Percentage-wise, this works to 39% in the first-half and 61% in the second-half of the month.

The top three OEMs – Tata Motors, M&M and JSW MG Motor – between them accounted for 81% of the record 26,221 electric cars and SUVs sold in May 2026.

Luxury Carmakers Register Record Sales of Over 600 Units in May

BMW maintained its strong lead in the luxury electric car and SUV segment with 345 units and a 56% share. Mercedes-Benz also registered strong sales of 204 units, up 67% YoY for a 33% share.

Growth Outlook for Electric Passenger Vehicle Industry in FY2027

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Mahindra BE 6, XEV 9e, XEV 9S Sales Cross 65,000, M&M e-PV Retail Share Jumps to 21%

Ajit Dalvi — Thu, 21 May 2026 09:55:01

Cumulative wholesales of Mahindra & Mahindra’s three Electric Origin SUVs have crossed the 65,000-unit mark. While the first two models – BE 6 and XEV 9e – were launched in January 2025, the XEV 9S was introduced in the end of November 2025.

As per wholesale data collated from company releases, the BE 6, XEV 9e, and XEV 9S midsize electric SUVs have clocked factory dispatches of 65,615 units to showrooms in India till the end of April 2026. An additional 276 units have also been exported, and the total production of these three e-SUVs over the past 16 months is 67,112 units.

Of the 865,734 SUVs that M&M has sold between January 2025 and April 2026, the XEV 9e, BE6 and XEV 9S (65,615 units) account for a 7.57% share.

In terms of estimated model-wise wholesales, the Mahindra XEV 9e with 34,369 units sold since January 2025 accounts for the largest share of 52 per cent. With pricing starting at Rs 21.90 lakh to Rs 30.50 lakh (ex-showroom), the XEV 9e rivals the BYD Atto 3, Vinfast VF7 and Tata Harrier EV. Battery capacity is 59kWh in entry-level variants and 79kWh in higher variants. The XEV 9e has a claimed range of up to 542km-656 km (ARAI), with a real-world figure of around 456km for the 79kWh variants.

The BE 6 (20,108 units) has a 31% share of the Born Electric SUV wholesales till April 2026. Pricing starts at Rs 18.90 lakh to Rs 26.90 lakh (ex-showroom). At this price point, the BE 6 rivals the Hyundai Creta EV, Tata Curvv EV, MG ZS EV, BYD Atto 3 and Tata Harrier. Offered with 59 kWh and 79 kWh battery packs, paired to single-motor RWD or dual-motor AWD layouts depending on variant, the BE 6 has a claimed travel range of up to 556km-683 km (ARAI) on a single charge. Fast charging from 20-80% can take under 20 minutes on high-power DC.

The XEV 9S (11,138 units) has snapped up a 17% share in just five-odd months. Priced between Rs 21.90 lakh to Rs 30.50 lakh (ex-showroom), the XEV 9S rivals the BYD Atto 3, Vinfast VF7 and Tata Harrier EV. Battery capacity is 59kWh in entry level variants and 79kWh in higher variants. XEV 9e range is claimed at up to 542km-656 km (ARAI), with a real-world figure of around 456km for the 79kWh variants.

Given that Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) sold 865,734 SUVs from January 2025 till April 2026 including a record 660,276 units in FY2026, this e-SUV trio accounts for a 7.57% share of the company’s wholesales. As the data table above indicates, the penetration level of this trio of BEVs rose from 5.39% in Q4 FY2025 (M&M sales: 149,127 SUVs) to 7.80% in FY2026 (M&M sales: 660,276 SUVs) and to 10.69% in April 2026 (M&M sales: 56,331 units).

M&M has since January 2025 delivered 55,267 e-SUVs to customers. From a 7% retail share in CY2024 (with XUV400), the three Born Electric e-SUVs have driven up market share to 21 per cent.

Electric Origin SUVs Increase M&M’s Retail EV Share to 21% in CY2026 YTD
For M&M, whose e-SUV portfolio also includes the XUV400, the rollout of the BE 6 and XEV 9e in January 2025 and the XEV 9e 10 months later has dynamically improved its EV retail market performance. Vahan-sourced retail sales numbers (see data table above) reveal that the company’s market share has risen month on month and tripled since CY2024.

In CY2024, as per Vahan data, M&M delivered 7,227 XUV400s, which gave it a 7% share of the overall electric passenger vehicle (e-PV) market in India (102,143 units). This more than doubled to a 19% share in CY2025 with the rollout of the BE 6, XEV 9e and XEV 9S delivered to 36,813 new owners. In the first four months of FY2027, M&M has delivered 18,454 units of these three zero-emission SUVs, which gives it a 21% share of the 86,271 e-PVs sold between January and April this year.

Four months into CY2026, M&M is ranked third after Tata Motors (33,514 units, 39% e-PV share) and JSW MG Motor India (20,335 units, 24% e-PV share). With the unresolved West Asia crisis adversely impacting the global crude oil supply chain and continuing to spook world markets, there is a growing shift towards EVs. In India, the price of petrol and diesel has been hiked twice in the span of a week. M&M will be looking to further up the ante in its EVs in line with its strategic growth map to ‘Accelerate in Uncertainty’ and snap up new market opportunities amidst a time of global shocks.

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The West Dominates, the North Surges: India's Auto Market by State

Shruti Shiraguppi — Wed, 20 May 2026 16:12:18

India's automobile market has always been a tale of geography as much as economics. The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers' (SIAM) latest state- and union territory-wise data for FY 2025–26 reveals a market shaped by divergent regional priorities.

Passenger Vehicles: Western Zone Leads, Maharashtra Dominates

The Western Zone's dominance in passenger vehicles is no surprise — Maharashtra and Gujarat together represent the commercial and industrial heartland, with a large aspirational middle class, dense urban centres, and a well-developed dealer network.

Maharashtra alone contributed 12.1% of the country's total PV sales, outpacing its nearest rival Uttar Pradesh (10.6%) by a considerable margin. Gujarat, at 8%, rounds out the Western zone's supremacy.

Karnataka (7.1%), driven by the Bengaluru tech corridor and its appetite for SUVs and EVs, held its own at rank 4 nationally. Tamil Nadu (6.8%) rounds out the top five — cementing the South's relevance in the premium segment despite ceding the overall zone leadership to the West.

Two-Wheelers: UP Takes the Crown

The two-wheeler segment rewrites the hierarchy entirely. Uttar Pradesh — with its vast rural hinterland, dispersed semi-urban geography, and the two-wheeler's role as the primary household mobility tool — claimed 14.7% of national sales, a commanding lead over Maharashtra's 11.3%.

This northern surge reflects structural demand: income growth in smaller towns, agricultural connectivity needs, and the continued relevance of affordable commuter motorcycles over public transport in much of the Indo-Gangetic belt.

The Western Zone still leads regionally, but its advantage narrows sharply when measured against the combined Northern bloc. Bihar (5.7%) and Madhya Pradesh (5.9%) also feature prominently, underlining that the mass two-wheeler market is increasingly a heartland story, not a metropolitan one.

Three-Wheelers: Southern Zone Leads, But the North Rules State Rankings

Three-wheelers present the market's most intriguing geographic paradox: the Southern Zone leads at the regional level, yet Uttar Pradesh tops the individual state chart. The explanation lies in the South's distributed strength — with Telangana (6.6%), Tamil Nadu (5.6%), Andhra Pradesh (5.4%), Assam (5.3%), and Kerala (5.0%) all contributing meaningfully — while UP concentrates its demand in a single-state surge driven by commercial auto-rickshaw registrations and last-mile electric three-wheeler adoption.

Gujarat (10.7%) and Maharashtra (10.6%) round out the top three nationally, while Karnataka (8.0%) and Bihar (6.9%) hold the next spots — reflecting both the commercial freight utility of three-wheelers and their passenger-carrying role in tier-2 and tier-3 urban ecosystems.

Commercial Vehicles: Maharashtra's Freight Muscle — Western Zone's Infrastructure Advantage

Commercial vehicle geography mirrors industrial and logistics concentration. Maharashtra's 15% share is the largest single-state share across any category in this dataset — a reflection of JNPT-linked freight corridors, Mumbai's distribution hubs, and Pune's manufacturing belts. Gujarat (8.6%) and Tamil Nadu (8.4%) follow closely, both benefiting from port infrastructure and manufacturing export zones.

Uttar Pradesh (8.3%) — which dominates in two-wheelers — ranks only fourth in CVs, pointing to the evolving nature of its logistics and road freight ecosystem. Haryana (6.6%) and Rajasthan (6.4%) punch above their population weight, underscoring the role of highway logistics in driving CV penetration beyond the traditional top markets.

The Big Picture

The SIAM FY2025–26 geographic data underlines a market in geographic evolution. The Western Zone's sustained leadership across three of four categories reflects the enduring power of Maharashtra and Gujarat's industrial-commercial complex. Yet the Northern surge — particularly Uttar Pradesh's two-wheeler and three-wheeler relevance — signals where the next wave of volume growth is being seeded.

With infrastructure investment, EV penetration, and rising rural income reshaping demand patterns, India’s state‑wise auto sales map may gradually become more dynamic in the years ahead.

Suzuki Burgman Breaks Through 1.4 Million Units Since Launch

Ajit Dalvi — Tue, 19 May 2026 09:34:46

The Suzuki Burgman Street 125 premium maxi-scooter, one of the three 125cc ICE models in Suzuki Motorcycle India’s (SMI) scooter portfolio, has clocked cumulative sales of over 1.4 million units. Launched in July 2018, the Suzuki Burgman Street has sold 1.16 million units in the domestic market, and 250,400 units have been exported (see data table below). Combined India market and export sales are 1.41 million (14,18,711 units).

While the Access 125 remains the growth powerhouse for Suzuki scooter sales, the Burgman is the second best-selling model, followed by the Avenis. FY2026, when the Indian scooter industry registered record sales of 8.11 million units, also saw SMI scale a new high of 1.15 million units, which comprised record sales of the Access 125 (812,920 units) and Burgman 125 (287,177 units), albeit Avenis sales fell 18% YoY to 55,890 units.

Burgman Street 125 was India’s seventh best-selling scooter in FY2026 when it clocked its highest sales of 287,177 units and accounted for a 25% share of Suzuki India’s 1.15 million scooter sales.

As a result of its 25% YoY growth in FY2026 and seventh rank amongst the Top 10 scooters, the Burgman’s share of SMI’s scooter sales also hit a new high of 25%, even as the Access 125 commanded a 70% share. Suzuki Motorcycle India, which is celebrating 20 years of manufacturing operations, is now bullish on demand growing for the Burgman 125, whose rivals include the Honda Activa 125, TVS Jupiter, TVS NTorq 125, Hero Destini 125, Honda Dio, Aprilia SXR 125 and the Yamaha Ray.

Will the New Burgman Street Rev Up Fresh Demand?
On April 2 this year, SMI launched the MY2026 avatar of the Burgman Street 125, which remains the company’s most feature-rich scooter. Powered by a 124cc air-cooled engine that develops 8.4hp and 10.2 Nm of torque, the premium maxi-scooter stands out with its large bodywork, comfortable riding position and premium features such as keyless ignition, front footrests and a TFT instrument console on higher variants. It also offers a 24.6-litre under-seat storage space, which is one of the largest in the segment.

Importantly, the Suzuki Burgman Street 125 gets a new chassis, which is around 500 grams lighter while also offering better structural strength and improved torsional rigidity. Also, the 30-60kph acceleration has improved, making overtaking manoeuvres quicker in city traffic. This Suzuki is currently sold in two variants – Standard Ride Connect and the high-tech Ride Connect TFT Edition, priced from Rs 101,944 through to Rs 113,220 (ex-showroom Delhi). In terms of fuel efficiency, the Burgman Street 125 delivers 48-50kpl in everyday city riding, while, as per ARAI, the maxi-scooter delivers around 58.6kpl from its 5.5-litre fuel tank.

In April 2026, the opening month of FY2027, Suzuki India sold 96,183 scooters, up 2% YoY (April 2025: 93,855 units). While the Access (70,339 units, up 8% YoY) accounted for 73% of sales, the Burgman Street (19,337 units, down 19% YoY) had a 20% share. Meanwhile, the Avenis – Suzuki’s third 125cc scooter – with 5,805 units (up 2% YoY) had a 6% share, and the recently launched e-Access (702 units) had a 1% share of SMI’s scooter dispatches in April. It’s early days yet for the MY2026 Suzuki Burgman Street 125, and it remains to be seen just how well it fares in the new fiscal year, which sees new challenges in the form of a petrol price hike.

(With inputs from Autocar India)

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Scooter Makers Record Best-Ever April With 691,993 Units, EV Share Increases To 16%

Ajit Dalvi — Tue, 19 May 2026 09:30:00

India’s scooter industry, which registered record wholesales of 8.1 million units in FY2026 (up 18.5% YoY), has opened FY2027 with its best-ever April numbers. In April 2026, the nine SIAM-member scooter OEMs dispatched 691,993 units, an 26% YoY increase (April 2025: 548,370 units). The only other April when scooter wholesales had crossed 600,000 units was in CY2018 (April 2018: 661,007 units). FY2027’s first month saw this 2W segment miss the 700,000-units mark by only 8,007 units.

In the past 10 years, barring the Covid-impacted April 2020 when industry pulled down its shutters, the lowest sales in the first month of a fiscal year were in April 2021 (300,462 units). In the years following the pandemic, the scooter industry has gradually come into its own, hitting a new high in FY2026 driven by refreshed as well as new models, revival of demand from rural India and semi-urban regions, GST 2.0 reform and the sale of 1.08 million electric scooters.

In April 2026, scooters (691,993 units) had a 37% share of the 1.87 million 2Ws sold. April 2018 (661,007 units) was the only other instance of 600,000-plus sales in the first month of the fiscal year.

In April 2026, scooters had a 37% share of the total 1.87 million two-wheelers sold, including 11,38,452 motorcycles (up 31% YoY, 61% share) and 42,246 mopeds (up 9% YoY, 2% share). Importantly, for the industry and in light of the ongoing crude oil supply crisis, the share of electric scooters has risen by four percentage points last month.

Honda, TVS Lead But Hero, Bajaj, Yamaha & Ather Increase Market Share
Scooter market leader Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India dispatched 248,609 scooters comprising the Activa 110/125 and the Dio 110/125 last month, up 15% YoY. This gives HMSI a 36% share versus 39% a year ago in a market which has expanded by 143,623 units year on year. HMSI sales included 752 units of the Activa-e and QC1 e-scooters, down 10% YoY.

TVS Motor Co, which has the Jupiter, NTorq and Zest in its ICE scooter stable and the iQube and Orbiter as EVs, sold 197,392 scooters, up 21% YoY. This gives it a 28% market share, marginally down 1 percentage point from April 2025. While the three petrol-engined scooters sold 1,60,199 units, up 18% YoY, the two TVS e-scooters with 37,193 units clocked 35% YoY growth (April 2025: 27,604 EVs).

Third-ranked Suzuki Motorcycle India dispatched 96,183 units, up just 2% YoY, due to which its share fell sharply to 14% from 17% a year ago. The Access 125 remains its best-selling product, ahead of the Avenis and Burgman Street, which are also powered by the same 125cc engine. Suzuki, which has entered the EV segment with its e-Access, sold 702 units of the e-scooter last month.

Hero MotoCorp is the star performer in April if one goes by the additional 41,537 units it sold year on year. The 59,515 units are a 231% YoY increase (April 2025: 17,978 units) and include 16,291 Vida e-scooters, up 129% YoY and an EV penetration of 27 per cent. Of the three ICE scooters (Destini 125, Pleasure and Xoom), it is understood that the Destini 125 and Xoom are witnessing strong demand. In terms of scooter market share, Hero MotoCorp made the largest gains – 8.60% vs 3.27% in April 2025.

Chetak and Yulu e-bike manufacturer Bajaj Auto sold 34,804 units, comprising 34,304 Chetaks (up 79%) and 500 Yulus. Bajaj EV sales are a handsome 81% YoY increase, with its scooter market share growing to 5% from 3.5% a year ago.

India Yamaha Motor, with 29,538 units, posted 38% growth to see its market share improve to 4.26% from 3.89% a year ago. While the 125cc-engined Fascino and Ray ZR together sold 27,728 units (up 30% YoY), the 155cc Aerox scooter (1,708 units) witnessed 15% growth. Yamaha, the last of the Japanese OEMs to enter the e-scooter arena, sold 102 units of the EC-06 last month.

Ather Energy, which is on a roll and witnessing strong sales traction for its Rizta family e-scooter, which recently surpassed cumulative sales of 300,000 units, registered wholesales of 22,832 units in April 2026, up 67% YoY. As in FY2026, expect the Rizta to have accounted for around 75% of the dispatches with the 450X, 450X and 450 Apex contributing the remaining 25 per cent. This performance sees Ather’s share of the scooter market grow to 3.29% from 2.49% a year ago.

With 112,676 units, which translates into an additional 44,154 units, the EV penetration level in the domestic scooter market rose to 16.28% in April 2026 from 12.49% in April 2025.

EV Share Of Scooter Sales Jumps To 16% In April
While the real-world electric 2W growth story is being witnessed in the retail market – over 148,000 units were sold by 160 players in what were the second highest monthly e-2W sales – the eight e-2W SIAM member companies (TVS, Bajaj Auto, Ather Energy, Hero MotoCorp, Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha and Okinawa) dispatched 112,676 e-scooters to their dealers in April 2026, up 64% YoY (April 2025: 68,522 units). This is an additional 44,154 e-scooters, due to which the EV penetration level in the overall scooter market last month rose to 16.28% from 12.49% in April 2025.

TVS Motor Co topped with 37,193 units and a 33% share, ahead of Bajaj Auto (34,804 units, 31% share) and Ather Energy (22,832 units, 20% share). Hero Vida (16,291 units) had a 14% share while the three Japanese e-scooter makers – Honda, Suzuki and Yamaha – together sold 1,556 units for a 1% share of the e-scooter sales last month.

Will the scooter industry, with its current strong double-digit growth, surpass the 9-million milestone in FY2027? The jury remains out on that score, given the likelihood of ICE scooter sales slowing due to a likely steep hike in petrol prices amidst the ongoing global crude oil crisis. This though is an opportunity for electric scooter makers to drive home their message of wallet-friendly zero-emission mobility. The strong sales in April 2026 are an indication that the growth momentum could turn stronger in the coming months.

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Suzuki Outsells Honda in Electric Scooters in January-April

Ajit Dalvi — Mon, 18 May 2026 09:41:44

Suzuki Motorcycle India, which entered the electric two-wheeler market with the launch of its e-Access in January, is currently the best-selling Japanese e-scooter manufacturer in the country, ahead of both Honda and Yamaha.

Late to the e-2W market compared to Indian legacy players like TVS Motor Co, Bajaj Auto and Hero MotoCorp, which diversified into e-2Ws, combined wholesales of the three Japanese OEMs in the first four months of CY2026 are 3,971 units, while retail sales are 2,340 units. For the January-April 2026 period, Suzuki is the No. 1 Japanese brand with a 57% share of wholesales and 50% of retails (customer deliveries). In comparison, Honda has a 32% share of wholesales and 44% in retails and Yamaha, which entered the market in February 2026, has an 11% share of wholesales and 6% in retails.

Between January-April 2026, Suzuki dispatched 2,261 e-Access scooters for a 57% share of the three Japanese brands’ wholesales and 50% of retail sales (1,161 deliveries to customers).

As per SIAM wholesale numbers, the Suzuki factory in Gurgaon, Haryana, manufactured a total of 2,581 units and dispatched 2,261 e-Access scooters to company showrooms in the past four months. Vahan retail sales data shows Suzuki has delivered 1,161 units of its two-wheeled EV. Targeted at urban commuters, this zero-emission avatar of Suzuki’s best-selling scooter in India (Access 125) is pitched as a durable and reliable mobility solution for both city riding as well as short weekend rides.

Powered by a 4.1 kW motor delivering 15 Nm torque, one of the product highlights is the Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery claimed to offer up to four times longer battery life than Nickel Manganese Cobalt (NMC) batteries. Priced at Rs 188,490 (ex-showroom Delhi), the e-Access has averaged monthly wholesales of 565 units and retail sales of 290 units. Despite bearing a stiff price, the Suzuki e-Access is witnessing growing demand as a no-nonsense and practical offering that comes from a Japanese brand renowned for its reliability the world over. In the current calendar year’s first four months, the e-Access has outsold Honda twice in wholesales and thrice in retails (see monthly sales split data table at the end of this analysis). But Honda seems to be catching up with much-improved numbers in April 2026.

Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI), the first of the three Japanese OEMs to enter the EV segment and also the ICE scooter market leader, dispatched 1,284 units of the Activa-e and QC1 e-scooters between January-April 2026. Retail sales in the past four months are 1,039 units.

India Yamaha Motor, which launched its EC-06 e-scooter in early February, has clocked wholesales of 426 units in the past three months and retails of 140 units. Sold from the company’s premium Blue Square showroom network, the Yamaha EC-06 is priced at Rs 167,600 (ex-showroom, Delhi) and is Yamaha’s most expensive model from its scooter portfolio, which includes the Ray, Fascino and Aerox. The EC-06, the first product from the partnership between Yamaha and Indian startup River Mobility, is based on the River Indie with some revisions to its bodywork, feature set and charging time. Common to the Yamaha EC-06 and the River Indie are the 4kWh battery, a motor rated for a peak of 6.7kW (9hp) and maximum torque of 26Nm. What’s different is the EC-06’s 79kph top speed compared to the River Indie’s 90kph, and a range of 169km versus the Indie’s 163km on a single charge. Under-seat storage is a relatively modest 24.5 litres compared to the Indie’s cavernous 43 litres. The EC-06 is currently available only in select cities in a few states. Going forward, as Yamaha expands the availability of the EC-06, sales could rise for this premium Indo-Japanese EV.

ALSO READ: TVS, Bajaj, Ather and Hero Vida open FY2027 with strong E-2W sales

Suzuki Outsells Honda in Electric Scooters in January-April

Ajit Dalvi — Mon, 18 May 2026 09:41:44

Between January-April 2026, Suzuki dispatched 2,261 e-Access scooters for a 57% share of the three Japanese brands’ wholesales and 50% of retail sales (1,161 deliveries to customers).

ALSO READ: TVS, Bajaj, Ather and Hero Vida open FY2027 with strong E-2W sales

Toyota Vellfire Hybrid MPV Crosses 5,000 Sales Milestone in India

Ajit Dalvi — Sat, 16 May 2026 12:07:22

The Vellfire, the second most expensive passenger vehicle in Toyota Kirloskar Motor’s stable after the Land Cruiser 300, has clocked cumulative sales of 5,000 units in the Indian market. This milestone comes a little after six years after the first-generation model was launched in February 2020, followed by the second-gen Vellfire in August 2024. As per wholesales data from apex industry body SIAM, the Vellfire has sold a total of 5,001 units from launch till end-April 2026. Fifty-five percent (2,756 units) of these sales have come in the past 25 months.

Priced between Rs 1.20 crore and Rs 1.30 crore (ex-showroom) and Rs 1.42 crore to Rs 1.54 crore (on-road depending on the city and taxes), the Vellfire is the most expensive Toyota MPV in India and proof that even a very high sticker price for an MPV cannot deter buyers.

Toyota Kirloskar Motor’s uber-luxurious petrol-electric hybrid MPV, which has unparallelled rear seat comfort and pampers its occupants, clocked its highest 12-month sales in FY2026 (1,483 units).

Launched a month before the Covid-19 pandemic engulfed the world, sales from FY2020 till FY2024 were in three digits (see wholesales data table above). In August 2023, the first-generation model was replaced by the next-gen Vellfire in six- and seven-seat configurations. Demand for the Vellfire took off in FY2025 when Toyota Kirloskar Motor sold 1,155 units, up 189% YoY (FY2024: 400 units). FY2026 turned out to be its best fiscal with 1,483 units with 56% YoY growth. FY2027 has opened with 118 units sold in April 2026, a 490% YoY increase on a low-year ago base of just 20 units.

ACE OF SPACE AND ECO-FRIENDLY TOO

The Toyota Vellfire is powered by a 193hp, 240Nm, 2.5-litre, four-cylinder petrol-hybrid powertrain mated to an e-CVT and delivers a claimed mileage of 19.28kpl. The real punch though lies inside this MPV. Compared to the old model, the new Vellfire’s interior gets a simple dashboard with fewer buttons, as most functions are integrated into the 14-inch touchscreen. Key highlights include a new and more comfortable seat design, a large overhead console for passengers to control various functions, multiple AC vents, and newly designed pull-down sunshades. The top Vellfire VIP model is offered with the Executive Lounge package and comes with two captain’s chairs for the second row. Other Vellfire car interior highlights include a head-up display, wireless charger, Ottoman second-row seats, and an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat.

The Toyota Vellfire, at five metres long, 1850mm wide and 1950mm tall, is a truly XXL-sized vehicle.

The generously equipped Vellfire, which shares its underpinnings with the Lexus LM, is a truly XXL-sized vehicle – five metres (5005mm) long, 1850mm wide and nearly 2 metres (1950mm) tall with a 3000mm wheelbase. The result is that this uber-luxurious MPV houses a cavernous interior that’s home to some of the best seats ever fitted in a vehicle.

As Autocar India’s latest May 2026 buyer guide puts it succinctly, “Light controls and great visibility make the hybrid-powered Vellfire surprisingly easy to drive but owners would be comfiest sprawled out at the back. The Vellfire is a luxury car you didn’t know you wanted.”

The Toyota Vellfire’s safety rating at the Japan NCAP crash tests comprises 4 stars. Safety kit includes six airbags, ABS with EBD, electronic stability control and ISOFIX child seat mounts. Camera and radar-based advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) are also included.

The success of the Toyota Vellfire in India, whose rivals include its pricier cousin (Lexus LM, Rs 2.20 crore ex-showroom) and the Kia Carnival (Rs 59.42 lakh ex-showroom), probably led to the introduction of two new rivals – the MG M9 priced at Rs 75.90 lakh (ex-showroom) and the recently launched Mercedes-Benz V-Class which costs Rs 1.40 crore (ex-showroom).

Toyota Kirloskar Motor, which is the market leader in the strong hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) market in India with its four-model HEV portfolio comprising the Hyryder midsize SUV, Innova Hycross and Vellfire MPVs, and the Camry sedan, has delivered 32,648 HEVs in the January-April 2026 period, as per Vahan. The Vellfire accounts for a small portion of this total but the fact remains that India’s rich and famous continue to queue up for this uber-luxurious Toyota MPV which chauffeurs its occupants in utmost comfort.

VIDEO: Toyota Vellfire – The luxury car you didn’t know you wanted

Duster Brings Renault Back Into the SUV ‘game’, Outsells Triber to Become No. 1 Model in April

Ajit Dalvi — Thu, 14 May 2026 11:56:49

Renault India is back in the reckoning in the booming SUV market thanks to the recent launch of the third-generation Duster midsize SUV. As per SIAM wholesale data for April 2026 released today, the Indian arm of the French auto major dispatched 5,413 passenger vehicles, up 108% YoY (April 2025: 2,602 units). This marks Renault India’s highest monthly wholesales since the past 36 months and beats its March 2026 sales of 5,046 units.

What’s common to both March and April is the growing consumer demand for the Duster, which heralds the company’s return to the fast-growing midsize SUV segment. While the Duster sold 1,402 units in March, April, with 2,359 units, is a handsome 68% month-on-month increase and takes the Duster’s two-month total to 3,761 units, giving the latest Renault model a 36% share of the company’s PV sales of 10,459 units in March-April 2026.

The Duster (3,761 units in March-April 2026) has a 36% share of Renault India’s PV sales (10,459 units) since its launch. In only its second month, the Duster has become the company’s No. 1 model.

April numbers also reveal that the Triber MPV, Renault India’s longstanding No. 1 model, has been dethroned by the Duster in only the second month for the latter. The Triber (1,917 units, up 37% YoY) now takes second rank, ahead of the Kiger (727 units, up 20% YoY) and the Kwid hatchback (410 units, up 45% YoY). The arrival of the Duster seems to have shifted customer attention from the other three Renault models because month-on-month, demand is down for the Triber (down 5%), Kiger (down 39%) and Kwi (down 9%).

To ensure its showrooms are well stocked with the Duster, Renault India rolled out 4,466 units of the Duster from its Chennai plant in April, up 140% MoM (March 2026: 1,864 units), with the midsize SUV accounting for 48% of the company’s total factory output of 9,333 PVs last month.

Ex-showroom pricing for the third-gen global-spec Duster, which has been extensively re-engineered for the Indian market, starts at Rs 10.49 lakh through to Rs 18.49 lakh, while the on-road sticker starts at around Rs 12.43 lakh, depending on the city. The Duster is powered by 1.0-litre turbo-petrol and 1.3-litre turbo-petrol engines, with a strong 1.8-litre petrol-electric hybrid powertrain set to join the line-up by November 2026.

Last month, the Renault Duster, which incorporates 17 Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) along with the standard safety equipment, received a full five-star Bharat NCAP crash safety rating. The Duster’s primary rivals include the midsize SUV market leader Hyundai Creta, Maruti Victoris, Kia Seltos, Tata Sierra, Maruti Grand Vitara, Toyota Hyryder, Honda Elevate, Skoda Kushaq and Volkswagen Taigun.

Rugged and driver-focussed third-gen Duster, which is to be joined by a 1.8-litre petrol-electric hybrid sibling in the festive season later this year, has got off to a rousing start in the Indian market.

CAN THE THIRD-GEN DUSTER DISRUPT THE MIDSIZE SUV MARKET?

Renault was once perceived as a potential passenger vehicle market disruptor, first with the Duster in 2012 and then with the Kwid in 2015. The company’s volumes peaked in FY2017, when it sold 135,123 units and captured a near-4% market share with these two models. However, new rivals in the form of the Hyundai Creta (launched in July 2015) and Kia Seltos (launched in August 2019) saw Renault India wilt under the pressure.

In FY2025, Renault India had sold 37,900 units with its PV market share contracting to 0.88 per cent. In FY2026, the 42,019 units gave it a slightly better 0.90% PV market share. Now, after the first month of FY2027, the car and SUV maker with 5,413 units has a slightly better 1.23% share of the total domestic market PV wholesales of 437,312 units in April 2026.

First launched in India in July 2012, the Renault Duster kickstarted the monocoque midsize SUV segment but bowed out a decade later. Over 10 years, the first-generation Duster sold an estimated 199,871 units in India, with FY2014 (46,786 units) being its best fiscal year when it had a 9% share of the 525,942 utility vehicles sold in India.

If the first two months of sales are any indication, then the Duster promises to bring Renault India back into the volume game even though it will have to battle hard in the fiercely contested midsize SUV segment. Stay tuned as we bring you up-to-date with the latest numbers in the Indian automobile market.

ALSO READ: Tata Sierra crosses 30,000 sales, becomes third highest-selling SUV for Tata Motors since January

Duster Brings Renault Back Into the SUV ‘game’, Outsells Triber to Become No. 1 Model in April

Ajit Dalvi — Thu, 14 May 2026 11:56:49

CAN THE THIRD-GEN DUSTER DISRUPT THE MIDSIZE SUV MARKET?

ALSO READ: Tata Sierra crosses 30,000 sales, becomes third highest-selling SUV for Tata Motors since January

Demand Grows Strongly for Ultraviolette Performance Electric Motorcycles

Ajit Dalvi — Wed, 13 May 2026 09:34:43

Even as electric scooters command the bulk of the retail sales of electric two-wheelers which clocked a record 1.4 million units in FY2026, demand is slowly growing for the nascent electric motorcycle segment in India. This sub-segment currently has only a few players in the form of Revolt Motors, TVS-backed Ultraviolette, Ola Electric, Oben EV, KLB Komaki, Matter Motor Works, Okaya EV and Wardwizard Innovations. Now, as per the latest Vahan retail sales data, demand is seen to be growing for Ultraviolette Automotive which has registered its best-ever quarter sales of 975 units in Q1 CY2026 (January-March 2026), up 373% YoY on a low year-ago base (Q1 CY2025: 206 units).

Ultraviolette, which registered its highest first-quarter sales of 975 units in January-March 2026, looks well set to achieve record sales of around 3,800 to 4,000 units in CY2026.

The Bengaluru-based Ultraviolette, incubated as an EV startup in 2016, manufactures performance electric motorcycles that are well-known for their high-voltage battery systems, advanced electronics, and aerospace-inspired engineering.

Cumulative retail sales since February 2023 till May 9, 2026 indicate that Ultraviolette has delivered 3,799 electric motorcycles, of which 81% (3,085 units) have been sold in the past 16 months and 12 days. While sales in CY2023 (271 units) and CY2024 (443 units) were tepid, demand rose by 250% YoY in CY2025 (1,551 units) and is set to scale a new high this year. Between January and May 12 this year, the company has already sold and delivered 1,534 units to customers. Ultraviolette opened this year with record monthly sales of 403 in January albeit numbers were lower in February (283 units), March (289 units) and April (379 units). The first 12 days of May have seen sales of 180 units.

On the sales network front, Ultraviolette at present has over 40 experience centres across major Indian cities and has stated that it “will be present across 100 cities by end of 2026”.

The company currently has five models announced with pricing starting at Rs 145,000 for the Tesseract, which is the cheapest model, and goes up to Rs 449,000 for the top-end Desert Wing variant of the flagship X-47, the most expensive model in the lineup (ex-showroom). The F77 Mach 2 (155kph top speed), F77 Superstreet (155kph top speed) and X-47 (145kph top speed) share the same powertrain rated at 40.2 hp and 100 Nm of torque, with a claimed 0-60kph time of 2.8 seconds. These motorcycles are equipped with a 10.3 kWh battery pack delivering an IDC-rated range of 323km per charge. The fourth product is the Shockwave (Rs 175,000) designed for efficient and eco-friendly city commuting as well as short weekend rides and targeted at urban riders. The fifth model is the Tesseract scooter (Rs 145,000) with a claimed IDC range of 261km, 0-60kph sprint in 2.9 seconds and rated for 20.4hp, helping it achieve a claimed top speed of 125kph. Bookings for the Tesseract are underway, while deliveries are slated to commence in the second half of this year. The latest product launched by Ultraviolette and currently on sale is the X-47.

In early March this year, Ultraviolette cut the flagship X-47’s entry-level variant’s ex-showroom price of Rs 250,000 by 101,000 by introducing the Battery-as-a-Service option to enhance affordability.

BaaS SLASHES FLAGSHIP X-47 PRICE BY Rs 101,000

September 2025 saw Ultraviolette launch the flagship X47 model, priced at Rs 250,000 (ex-showroom) and capable of a claimed 323km range, 0-60kph in 2.7 seconds and a top speed of 145kph. Powered by a 40 hp (30 kW) motor developing 610 Nm of torque, the X47 at launch had price parity with similarly powered ICE motorcycles.

In early March this year, in a strategic move to enhance EV affordability and similar to that adopted by TVS, Ather Energy, Bajaj Auto and Hero Vida, Ultraviolette in association with NBFC Ecofy introduced Battery Flex, a BaaS-driven battery subscription model, on all five variants of the X-47 as also the F77 Original and F77 Recon. Under this new subscription model, customers can purchase the X-47 for Rs 149,000, while the battery can be subscribed to at a starting price of Rs 2,499 per month. This EMI will have to be paid over five years. Ultraviolette says opting for Battery Flex reduces the initial purchase cost by nearly 40%, making the e-motorcycle more accessible to a wider range of buyers. After customers finish paying monthly EMIs for the battery during the financing period, the battery ownership will be transferred to them at no additional cost.

According to Ultraviolette’s CEO and co-founder Narayan Subramaniam, the new pricing structure makes the motorcycle competitive with petrol-powered bikes in a similar performance bracket. He added that the subscription model allows riders to access advanced technology and performance while keeping monthly operating costs lower than the average fuel expense for many motorcycles.

Ultraviolette at present has over 40 experience centres across major Indian cities and plans to expand its sales and service network to 100 cities in India by the end of CY2026.

CAN ULTRAVIOLETTE DISRUPT THE PREMIUM ICE MOTORCYCLE MARKET?

Admittedly, given the premium pricing of its e-motorcycles which are targeted at premium petrol-powered 300cc-400cc IC-engine motorcycles including the Royal Enfield 350c bikes (Classic, Bullet, Hunter and Meteor), Bajaj Pulsar N250, TVS Apache RTR 310, BMW G310R, Kawasaki Ninja 300, KTM 390 Duke, Husqvarna Svartpilen 401, Harley-Davidson X440 and Mavrick 440, Ultraviolette will remain a niche player. However, the recent move to offer Baas on the F77 models and X-47 seems to have clicked, making the zero-emission bikes more affordable.

Can this Bengaluru-based e-motorcycle startup, which now also has an e-scooter, disrupt the e-2W market, particularly at the premium end? Midsize motorcycle major Royal Enfield, which marked its entry into EVs on April 9 with the Flying Flea priced at Rs 279,000 and Rs 199,000 (with Baas), has had limited success in its first month of sale. As per Vahan, only 6 units have been sold till May 12, 2026.

Importantly, Ultraviolette e-bike performance is comparable to ICE motorcycles. In fact, in March 2025, in association with Autocar India bike testers, the revealed-at-EICMA but yet-to-be-launched Ultraviolette F99 hit 258kph on the race track at NATRAX Indore. Along the way, the green speed machine also set records for 0-100kph in under 3 seconds, 0-200kph in 9 seconds and the fastest quarter-mile in 10.712 seconds.

The clincher, of course, is the wallet-friendlier cost of charging versus tanking up on expensive petrol (Rs 103.49 a litre in Mumbai on May 12, 2026), which is likely to get dearer soon and could see a number of ICE two-wheeler buyers across the scooter and motorcycle segments actively consider buying an EV.

India’s top four legacy ICE 2W players – Hero MotoCorp, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India, Bajaj Auto and TVS Motor Co – which have diversified into electric scooters, are looking to advance their e-2W game into electric motorcycles. Electric motorcycles is the only remaining ‘white space’ which remains unexploited due to technological constraints vis-à-vis e-scooters, high battery costs, limited range and a paucity of affordable products at present. Even a small percentage of the high-volume ICE motorcycle segment, which clocked sales of 13 million units in FY2026, would result in big numbers.

ALSO READ: Hero, Honda, TVS, Bajaj and Royal Enfield target India’s nascent electric motorcycle market

Demand Grows Strongly for Ultraviolette Performance Electric Motorcycles

Ajit Dalvi — Wed, 13 May 2026 09:34:43

Ultraviolette, which registered its highest first-quarter sales of 975 units in January-March 2026, looks well set to achieve record sales of around 3,800 to 4,000 units in CY2026.

On the sales network front, Ultraviolette at present has over 40 experience centres across major Indian cities and has stated that it “will be present across 100 cities by end of 2026”.

BaaS SLASHES FLAGSHIP X-47 PRICE BY Rs 101,000

Ultraviolette at present has over 40 experience centres across major Indian cities and plans to expand its sales and service network to 100 cities in India by the end of CY2026.

CAN ULTRAVIOLETTE DISRUPT THE PREMIUM ICE MOTORCYCLE MARKET?

ALSO READ: Hero, Honda, TVS, Bajaj and Royal Enfield target India’s nascent electric motorcycle market

Tata Sierra Crosses 30,000 Sales, Becomes Third Highest-Selling SUV for Tata Motors Since January

Ajit Dalvi — Tue, 12 May 2026 10:09:28

Tata Motors, which opened FY2027 with sales of 59,000 passenger vehicles, up 30.5% YoY (April 2025: 45,199 units), continues to ride the strong wave of demand for its SUVs. Its six-pack of SUVs comprising the Nexon, Punch, Safari, Harrier, Punch and the recently launched Sierra, clocked wholesales of 49,964 units in April 2026, up 49% YoY (April 2025: 33,454 SUVs). Year on year, the monthly share of SUVs has increased to 85% in April 2026 compared to 74% in April 2025. What has added tailwinds to Tata SUV sales is the launch of the Tata Sierra on November 25 last year.
Wholesale data reveals that the new Tata Sierra, the modern avatar of the iconic model sold between 1991 and 2003, has cumulatively sold an estimated 30,713 units since December 2025, when factory dispatches to Tata Motors’ showrooms began, followed by deliveries to customers from January 15 this year.

With 30,713 units sold since launch, the Tata Sierra accounts for an 12% share of Tata Motors’ wholesales of 255,442 SUVs in the past five months.

Within Tata Motors’ SUV portfolio, the Sierra is positioned between the Curvv and the Harrier, and goes head-to-head against the Hyundai Creta, Maruti Grand Vitara and Victoris, Renault Duster, Toyota Hyryder, Kia Seltos, Honda Elevate, Volkswagen Taigun, Skoda Kushaq, MG Astor and Citroen Aircross X.
In the short span of a little over four months, the Sierra (30,713 units) has become the third highest-selling SUV for Tata Motors after the Nexon and Punch compact siblings and accounts for a 12% share of the 255,442 SUVs the company dispatched between December 2025 and April 2026.
While the Nexon (100,106 units) tops with a 39% share, the Punch (94,069 units) has a 37% share. The Harrier (14,556 units, 6% share) is ranked fourth, followed by the Safari (8,468 units, 3% share) and the Curvv (7,530 units, 3% share).
The Tata Sierra, crowned Autocar India’s Car of the Year 2026 as well as the winner of the Best Design & Styling, Viewer’s Choice for Car of the Year and the Midsize SUV of the Year awards, had impressed the jury with its premium, well-appointed cabin, a wide spread of powertrain options and a design that turns heads. Clearly, this is now playing out in the real-world market where the value-conscious buyer is keen on the latest Tata SUV in town.
Pricing for the 24-variant Tata Sierra starts from Rs 11.49 lakh through to Rs 21.29 lakh (ex-showroom). In terms of powertrain, the Sierra debuts Tata’s all-new 1.5-litre direct injection turbo-petrol engine and also has the naturally aspirated 1.5-litre petrol and diesel engine options on offer with manual and automatic transmissions. Fuel efficiency depends on the engine and transmission options. As per ARAI, the petrol variants deliver 16-18kpl, while the diesel variants deliver better fuel efficiency of 18-20kpl.

Tata Sierra impresses with its premium, well-appointed cabin, a wide spread of powertrain options and a design that turns heads.

Sierra Goes Big on the Desirability Quotient
The feature-laden Sierra is big on the desirability quotient, which is key in the SUV segment. It comes with dual-tone 19-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights with a full-width LED light bar on top, panoramic sunroof, flush-type door handles, a powered tailgate, segment-first three-screen setup: one for instrumentation and two for infotainment, Dolby Atmos, rear window sunshades, Boss mode functionality for the front passenger seat and more.
The safety features include six airbags as standard, Level 2 ADAS, traction control, front and rear disc brakes, 360-deg camera, ABS with EBD, front and rear parking sensors, electronic parking brake with auto hold, hill hold assist, and more.
The surging demand for the Tata Sierra, which has over 100,000 bookings, means that Tata Motors has had to ramp up production. It is understood that the company plans ramp up this midsize SUV’s monthly production to around 15,000 units over the next six months. It is understood that the Sierra, at present, has a waiting period of three to four months.

Tata Sierra Crosses 30,000 Sales, Becomes Third Highest-Selling SUV for Tata Motors Since January

Ajit Dalvi — Tue, 12 May 2026 10:09:28

With 30,713 units sold since launch, the Tata Sierra accounts for an 12% share of Tata Motors’ wholesales of 255,442 SUVs in the past five months.

Tata Sierra impresses with its premium, well-appointed cabin, a wide spread of powertrain options and a design that turns heads.

TVS Raider 125 Sales Hit 1.9 Million Units Since Launch

Ajit Dalvi — Mon, 11 May 2026 11:45:08

The TVS Raider 125, launched in India on September 16, 2021, has notched a new sales milestone a few months before it completes five years in the market later this year. Cumulative domestic and export sales from market introduction till end-March 2026 have surpassed the 1.9 million-unit mark (19,07,277 units). These comprise 1.62 million in domestic wholesales and 286,008 units in exports.

The success of TVS Motor Co’s first 125cc motorcycle is proof that the company entered the 125cc sporty commuter bike segment just as it was gaining traction in India. In the domestic market, from launch in FY2022 through till March 2026, the Raider 125 (1.62 million units) has accounted for 31% of TVS Motor’s cumulative motorcycle sales of 5.27 million motorcycles. The Apache series of bikes in the same five-year period has sold 2.07 million units, which gives it a 38% share of TVS motorcycle sales.

From launch until end-March 2026, the Raider 125 has sold 1.62 million units in India and accounted for 31% of TVS’ cumulative motorcycle sales of 5.27 million units. 286,008 units have been exported.

Over the past five fiscal years, the TVS Raider’s ranking in the motorcycle industry’s top-selling models has risen from No. 9 in FY2023 to No. 6 in FY2026. The TVS Raider’s best fiscal yet was FY2024, when it sold 478,443 units, up 100% YoY (FY2023: 239,388 units), when it accounted for 39% of TVS Motor Co’s total bike sales of 1.22 million units. In FY2024, the Raider 125 earned the distinction of being TVS Motor Co’s best-selling bike, with a YoY doubling of sales to 478,443 units — 100,361 units ahead of the TVS Apache series (378,072 units). FY2025, however, saw demand fall 16% YoY to 399,819 units, and its share of TVS motorcycle sales slip to 33% with the Apache series bikes (446,218 units) having the larger 37% share.

FY2026, with GST 2.0 driving down prices from October 2025 onwards, saw demand return to the Raider 125 with sales rising 7% YoY to 426,877 units and helping it surpass the 400,000 milestone for the second time.

The TVS Raider 125 is part of a competitive segment which has well-established rivals like the Honda Shine, Bajaj Pulsar, Hero Glamour, Super Splendor, Xtreme 125, Bajaj Pulsar, and the Honda CB125 Hornet, launched in August 2025. The Bajaj Freedom 125, the world's first CNG-powered motorcycle, is also part of the segment.

In FY2026, the 110cc-125cc segment registered flat sales of 36,15,850 units (FY2025: 36,00,397 units), which marks an addition of only 15,453 more units year on year. Of the nine models in the fray, only five, including the TVS Raider 125 – the third highest-selling model – posted growth. The Raider (426,877 units, up 7% YoY) accounted for a 12% share of this segment, which was led by the Honda Shine (1.71 million units, up 5%, 47% share) and the Bajaj Pulsar (774,995 units, down 3%, 21% share). The fourth best-selling bike in this category was the Hero Glamour (220,849 units, up 24%, 6% share). These four bikes are followed by the Hero Xtreme 125R (210,031 units, down 26% YoY), Hero Splendor (186,111 units, down 26% YoY) and the Honda CB125 Hornet, which sold 65,636 units in the last eight months of FY2026.

Meanwhile, on the export front, as per SIAM data, 286,008 TVS Raiders have been shipped to overseas markets till FY2026, which was the best export fiscal year with 76,900 units, up 8% YoY and accounted for 6% of TVS’ record bike exports of 1.29 million units.

Snazzy Design and Tech Pay-off for TVS Raider 125

The snazzy styling, with more than a hint of sportiness compared with the staid designs of most of its rivals, seems to have paid dividends for the Raider 125, which had won Autocar India's Bike of the Year 2022 accolade for its combination of striking looks, punchy engine, and value-for-money proposition.

The Raider 125 is powered by TVS’ potent 124.8cc engine, which develops 11.4hp and 11.75 Nm of torque, mated to a five-speed transmission. While top speed is 99kph, fuel efficiency is an ARAI-certified 56.7kpl. In real-world conditions. What also draws buyers to the TVS Raider 125 is the range of features, including ride modes, a five-inch TFT display, SmartXonnect and boost mode. The Raider 125 features single-channel ABS on the new SXC DD and TFT DD variants. Priced from Rs 82,000 through to Rs 97,000 (ex-showroom), the Raider 125 is available in seven variants: Drum, Single Seat, SSE, iGO, Split Seat, SXC DD, and TFT DD.

Will the TVS Raider 125 continue to display similar or better growth in FY2027? Difficult to say at this stage in the current fiscal year, what with motorcycle as well as two-wheeler demand set to stay higher for fuel-sipping frugal 100-110cc machines in the current scenario of dampened crude oil supplies and the likelihood of petrol prices being hiked.

ALSO READ: Record scooter and bike sales power TVS to best-ever 4.24 million units in FY2026
TVS Apache sells record 571,376 units in FY2026, captures 38% share of 150-200cc bike market