India's auto sales hit record high in May as PVs jump 27 pc; 2-wheelers cross 19 lakh units
New Delhi, June 15
India's automobile industry recorded its strongest-ever performance for the month of May, driven by robust demand across passenger vehicles, two-wheelers and three-wheelers, according to data released by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers on Monday.
Domestic passenger vehicle (PV) sales surged 27.3 per cent year-on-year to a record 4,38,854 units in May 2026, compared to 3,44,656 units in the same month last year.
The two-wheeler segment also posted strong growth, with sales rising 14.8 per cent to 19,02,209 units, while three-wheeler volumes climbed 31.1 per cent to 70,720 units.
SIAM Director General Rajesh Menon said all three major vehicle segments recorded their highest-ever sales for the month of May.
He attributed the growth partly to the lower base of May 2025 and the demand boost generated by reduced GST rates and easier financing options.
"These factors continue to support higher vehicle off-take across categories," he explained.
The strong wholesale numbers come on the back of a robust retail performance. Earlier, the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA) reported that passenger vehicle retail sales crossed the 4 lakh mark for the first time in May, rising 23.25 per cent year-on-year to 4,02,591 units.
FADA had credited the growth to strong rural demand, a revival in the entry-level car segment and sustained demand for sport utility vehicles (SUVs).
The two-wheeler segment delivered its best-ever May sales performance, led by a sharp increase in scooter demand. Scooter sales rose 27.4 per cent year-on-year to 7,39,667 units.
Motorcycle sales grew 7.2 per cent to 11,13,973 units, while moped sales jumped 30.3 per cent to 48,569 units during the month.
Passenger vehicles continued to benefit from improving affordability and positive consumer sentiment, helping the segment achieve its highest-ever sales volume for May.
The three-wheeler segment also maintained its growth momentum. Sales increased to 70,720 units from 53,942 units a year ago.
Passenger carriers remained the dominant category, with sales rising 30 per cent to 57,649 units, while goods carriers posted a stronger growth of 35.3 per cent to reach 11,802 units.
Electric three-wheelers also witnessed healthy growth. E-rickshaw sales increased 38.9 per cent to 1,000 units, while e-cart sales jumped 81.8 per cent to 269 units, albeit on a relatively small base.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Finally some good news for the economy! The GST cut on two-wheelers was a smart move. My family bought a new scooter last month – it was much easier on the pocket with the lower tax. Hope the govt keeps these incentives for a while.
Impressive growth in three-wheelers and e-rickshaws. That's the real India story – small businesses and last-mile connectivity driving demand. The 81% jump in e-carts is interesting too. Electrification is happening, even if slowly.
As an expat living in Bangalore, I've seen the traffic get worse every month. Record car sales are great for the economy, but our infrastructure can't keep up. Metro expansion and better public transport need equal focus, or we'll just have more gridlock.
These numbers don't surprise me. I see new cars in my neighbourhood every week. But I'm more excited about the two-wheeler segment – 19 lakh units in a month means more people are able to afford personal mobility. That's real progress for the common man.
Lower GST helped, but what about emissions? We're celebrating more cars, but our cities are choking. Wish the article discussed EV trends more. The e-rickshaw growth is nice, but passenger vehicle sales going up 27% means more pollution unless cleaner tech gets adopted faster.
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