After several months of trailing behind, Tata Motors has surged ahead to become the second-largest carmaker in India by retail sales for March 2025. With 48,462 units sold last month, Tata overtook both Mahindra and Hyundai, marking a strong comeback in the competitive auto sector.
While Tata posted a 5% year-on-year (YoY) increase in March sales, its market share slightly declined to 13.8%, down by 0.3 percentage points compared to the previous year. Despite the growth in sales volume, this dip in market share reflects the overall expansion of the Indian auto market, which saw total retail sales of 3,50,603 units in March—a 6.27% YoY growth.
Mahindra Gains, Hyundai Slips
Mahindra took third place with 46,297 units sold, registering a robust 17% YoY increase. Its market share climbed to 13.20%, up from 12.03% in March 2024, thanks largely to its strong SUV portfolio, including the Scorpio N, Bolero, Thar, and XUV700.
Hyundai, traditionally a strong performer and often the second-best-selling brand, fell to fourth place. The company sold 42,511 cars in March, reflecting a 5% YoY decline. Its market share also took a hit, slipping from 13.5% to 12.13%, despite the recent launch of the Creta Electric in January.
EVs and SUVs Drive Momentum
The shift in rankings points to changing consumer preferences. Tata’s growing range of electric vehicles appears to be resonating with buyers, while Mahindra’s rugged SUV lineup continues to gain traction. Meanwhile, Hyundai’s EV rollout hasn’t yet translated into stronger numbers, at least for now.
With competition heating up and consumer demand evolving rapidly, the battle for market share in India’s auto industry is only expected to intensify in the coming months.
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