Our Bureau
New Delhi
India’s automobile retail market raced ahead in January 2026, with total vehicle sales climbing 17.61% year‑on‑year to 27,22,558 units, as rural cash flows, wedding‑season demand and post‑GST pricing tailwinds lifted almost all major segments.
Two‑wheelers led the charge, with sales up 20.82% to 18,52,870 units, supported by strong demand in rural belts around Pongal and Makar Sankranti and a gradual recovery in urban markets. Passenger vehicles followed closely, rising 7.22% to 5,13,475 units, as rural buyers contributed a growing share of PV volumes amid better affordability and improved inventory discipline.
Commercial vehicles also posted healthy growth, with CV retail up 15.07% to 1,07,486 units, driven by freight activity, infrastructure‑linked goods movement and replacement‑led buying. Three‑wheelers grew 18.80% to 1,27,134 units, while tractor sales jumped 22.89% to 1,14,759 units, underscoring robust rural demand for farm and mobility equipment.
In contrast, construction equipment retail fell 21.09% to 6,834 units, weighed down by a high base effect and sector‑specific recalibration. Industry bodies attribute the broad‑based January uptick to post‑GST momentum, harvest‑linked rural income, and a spike in wedding‑related purchases, setting a cautiously optimistic tone for the February–March quarter.
