Vehicle Retail Rises 25% in October as EV Sales Hit a Record 3.55 Lakh Units
FADA data shows 31.72 lakh vehicles sold in October. Sales were down on a high base, but EVs and commercial vehicles posted their best October ever.
India's vehicle retail sales rose 25.05% month-on-month to about 31.72 lakh units in October 2026, according to the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA). That makes it the second-best October on record, even though sales fell 23.8% compared with October 2025.
Why the yearly fall
Last year, Navratri and Diwali both fell in October, and buyers were also rushing in after the GST rate cuts. This year Dhanteras and Diwali moved into November, so much of the festive buying has shifted to this month. FADA President Sai Giridhar said October should be read against the festive calendar, with month-on-month growth the better signal.
Segment snapshot
- Two-wheelers: 23.21 lakh, up 29.7% from September
- Passenger vehicles: 5.08 lakh, up 18.9% from September
- Commercial vehicles: 1.15 lakh, best-ever October
- Three-wheelers: 1.41 lakh, best-ever October
- Tractors: 79,285, highest-ever October
EVs take a bigger share
Electric vehicle sales hit a record of about 3.55 lakh units, up nearly 45% year-on-year. EV penetration rose to around 11.5%, almost double last year. In passenger cars, CNG, hybrid and electric models together now slightly outsell petrol.
The outlook
Most dealers expect growth or stable sales in November as Diwali demand comes through. Rural two-wheeler demand and higher loan EMIs remain the main worries.