Tata Motors has regained the coveted second position in India’s passenger vehicle market, overtaking Mahindra and Hyundai in September 2025. According to data from the government’s Vahan portal, Tata registered 40,594 vehicles, putting it just ahead of Mahindra (37,015 units) and Hyundai (35,443 units). Maruti Suzuki, as expected, maintained its dominance at the top with 1,32,820 registrations.
Tata Achieves Record Retail Sales
What makes September even more significant for Tata is its record-breaking retail performance. The carmaker delivered 60,907 units to customers—the highest in its history—marking a sharp 47% year-on-year growth. The Nexon compact SUV led the charge with over 22,500 units sold, while the Punch micro SUV continued to gain momentum.
Tata’s electric vehicle sales also touched an all-time high at 9,191 units, nearly doubling compared to last year. Meanwhile, CNG-powered cars contributed 17,800 units, registering a robust 105% jump. The company attributed the sales surge partly to a wave of fresh bookings triggered by GST 2.0-related price cuts, which nearly doubled demand in the latter half of the month.
Mahindra Delivers Its Best-Ever Month
Not to be left behind, Mahindra also announced its highest-ever monthly sales of 56,233 units in September 2025—a 10% increase from the same month last year and a massive 42% jump over August 2025. The brand said SUV sales gained strong traction, with retail demand during the first nine days of Navratri soaring 60% compared to 2024.
Hyundai Sees Record SUV Demand
Hyundai, meanwhile, posted 51,547 units in retail sales for September, a modest 0.9% year-on-year rise but a healthy 17% improvement over August 2025. The Creta midsize SUV was the star performer, achieving its best-ever monthly sales at 18,861 units. The Venue compact SUV followed with 11,484 units, its highest in nearly two years.
A Three-Way Battle for Second Place
The tussle for the No. 2 spot in India’s passenger vehicle market has rarely been this close. Hyundai had held the position for more than a decade until 2024, but the rapid rise of homegrown rivals Tata and Mahindra—powered by their expanding SUV and EV portfolios—has reshaped the rankings.
Industry experts note that August sales were muted as buyers postponed purchases in anticipation of GST-led price cuts. Once carmakers revised prices in September, demand spiked sharply, setting the stage for a festive season that promises even fiercer competition between Tata, Mahindra, and Hyundai.
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