Another Maharashtra-based OEM, Mahindra and Mahindra held the next spot in the pecking order, with 56,331 units sold last month as against 52,330 units in the year-ago period.For the Indian auto industry, April turned out to be another blockbuster month, belying the expectations of a muted growth due to uncertainty surrounding the geopolitical tensions in West Asia.
The robust growth was fuelled by new launches, upgrades, discounts being carried forward and few key developments in the industry.
Experts estimate the industry to clock around 4.5 lakh in April 2026, against 3.54 lakh units in the same period last year, as GST 2.0 momentum and repo rate reduction continue to fuel the demand.
Maruti Suzuki India maintained its crown position, rising 35 per cent to 1,87,704 units in April 2026, as against 1,38,704 units in the same month last year. India’s largest automaker’s small car segment, comprising mini, compact and mid-size cars, registered a growth of 41.7 per cent to 96,725 units.
Tata Motors grabbed the second position with 59,000 units sold in April 2026. The Maharashtra-based OEM has consecutively held second position MoM, driven by its new launches such as Sierra and Punch EV.
Another Maharashtra-based OEM, Mahindra and Mahindra held the next spot in the pecking order, with 56,331 units sold last month as against 52,330 units in the year-ago period.
Nalinikanth Gollagunta, CEO, Automotive Division, M&M said “The year 2027 has begun on a positive note in April by achieving SUV sales of 56331 units, a growth of 8 per cent and total vehicle sales of 94627 units, a 14 per cent growth over the same month last year.”
| 2025 | OEM | Rank | OEM | 2026 |
| 138,704 | Maruti Suzuki | 1 | Maruti Suzuki | 187,704 |
| 58,701 | Hyundai India | 2 | Tata Motors | 59,000 |
| 52330 | Mahindra & Mahindra | 3 | Mahindra & Mahindra | 56331 |
| 45,199 | Tata Motors | 4 | Hyundai India | 51,902 |
| 27,329 | Toyota Kirloskar Motor | 5 | Toyota Kirloskar Motor | 32,086 |
Foreign OEM’s momentum continue
South Korean automaker Hyundai Motor held the fourth position with 51,902 units last month as against 58,701 units in the same month last year. The company claimed to achieve its best-ever April domestic sales, with recent product interventions, including the new Exter, Verna, Ioniq 5 and Creta Summer Edition. Tarun Garg, MD & CEO – HMIL, said “The 5‑Star Bharat NCAP rating for Venue and Venue N Line further exemplifies our steadfast commitment to safety, contributing to the model’s highest-ever monthly domestic sales of 12,420 units. As we move ahead, we remain dedicated to delivering future-ready innovation, benchmark safety and a delightful ownership experience for customers across India.”
Toyota Kirloskar Motor reported a 19 per cent growth YoY, with 32,086 units sold last month, compared to 27,329 units in the same month last year. The Japanese automaker has consistently held the fifth position in the Indian passenger vehicle market.
Sabari Manohar, Executive Vice President, Sales-Service-Used Car Business, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said, “Our sales performance in April 2026 reflects steady and sustained progress, driven by a strong focus on customer centricity, product excellence and disciplined execution across markets. A key highlight during the month was the Innova HyCross achieving the 2‑lakh cumulative sales milestone, reinforcing the positive and growing market acceptance of our hybrid offerings.
Small OEMs gain speed
Small automakers continue to race ahead with players such as Renault reporting double-digit growth, with 5,413 units sold last month compared to 2,602 units in April 2025. A key driver for the growth was the newly launched Duster with deliveries beginning in the latter part of April. Nissan India total sales, including exports, stood at 5,388 units supported by demand for the upgraded Nissan Gravite.
JSW MG Motor reported 3 per cent YoY increase in vehicle dispatches with 6,018 units sold last month, as it reported steady demand for both its ICE and EV product portfolio.
Future outlook
Industry experts remain both cautious and optimistic about the future outlook as the geopolitical concerns continue. This also serves as a challenge on both the production and sales side.
According to Puneet Gupta, Director at S&P Global April sales growth is partly base-driven, as April last year was weak due to multiple price hikes, rare earth concerns and supply constraints.
He pointed that growth is slowing across OEMs, with Tata Motors, Hyundai and Mahindra now showing single-digit growth, indicating pressure building in the market.
“But one thing we should not forget is that in the coming months there will be pressure on sales, undoubtedly…April and May are the best two months when companies can push, before we start seeing pressure on sales,” Gupta said.
The demand-led growth trajectory for FY27 is driven by structural demand, strong rural participation, export resilience, and an expanding product portfolio. Production capacity ramp-up and EV supply scaling will be key to unlocking full growth potential, added Maruti’s Banerjee.
