Vehicle Sales Surge in India During Navratri, Exceeding 1.1 Million Units

New Delhi, October 21 (Daily Kiran) : Sales of vehicles in India during the ten days of Navratri have surpassed 1.1 million units, showcasing robust demand in the festive season. This data was released by the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA). Compared to 2024, retail vehicle sales during this year’s Navratri increased by approximately 27%. Notably, sales of four-wheelers rose by over 10%, while two-wheeler sales surged by more than 32%.

Last year, record vehicle sales were attributed to the implementation of GST 2.0 and an extended 11-day Navratri period. FADA President Sai Giridhar noted that the slight 6.52% decline compared to Navratri 2025 is primarily a statistical anomaly. The previous year featured an additional day of sales and the introduction of GST 2.0, leading to a significant surge in previously pent-up demand.

This year, the demand for electric vehicles (EVs) has been particularly noteworthy. Retail sales of EVs increased by 26.78%, now comprising about 10.5% of total festive sales, up from approximately 7.7% last year. This indicates a significant shift towards electric mobility in India.

Giridhar expressed cautious optimism as the market approaches the period from Dhanteras to Diwali. He highlighted that consumer purchasing power remains strong, and aspirations are rising, reflecting the continuous growth trajectory of vehicle retail sales in the country.

According to FADA’s data, aided by festive demand and a low base from the previous year, domestic automobile retail sales in September reached a record high of 2.5 million units, marking a 31.82% year-on-year increase. This figure also represents a 4.69% rise compared to August, making September the best month for the industry to date.

FADA cautioned that these annual growth figures should be viewed with care, as purchases were delayed before the implementation of GST 2.0 in September 2025. Furthermore, the industry recorded its best performance in five out of six vehicle categories during September. In the first half of fiscal year 2027, retail sales also reached a record 15.5 million units, reflecting a 20.77% increase year-on-year.

Segment-wise, two-wheeler sales rose by 33.08% to 1.79 million units, while passenger vehicle sales increased by 32.10% to 427,213 units. Commercial vehicle sales saw a remarkable 37.62% increase, surpassing the 100,000 mark for the first time in September.