India’s passenger vehicle market delivered a mixed bag in August 2025, as the country’s top automotive brands revealed sharply contrasting sales performances amid GST policy uncertainties and shifting consumer trends. Here’s a comprehensive roundup and comparative analysis of the latest sales numbers from Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, Tata Motors, Mahindra, and Toyota—highlighting key takeaways, emerging patterns, and what it means for the broader auto industry.
Overview of August 2025 Auto Sales
The Indian auto sector’s August 2025 numbers present a story of shifting fortunes:
- Maruti Suzuki remained the leader despite a modest year-on-year decline in sales.
- Hyundai retook the second spot from Mahindra, despite a dip in its overall sales.
- Tata Motors saw a drop in passenger vehicle volumes but reported strong EV performance.
- Mahindra sales shrank, particularly in SUVs, influenced by inventory corrections ahead of GST adjustments.
- Toyota stood out by registering strong double-digit sales growth, driven by robust domestic and export demand.
Brand-wise Sales Summary Table
Brand |
Aug 2025 Sales |
YoY Change |
Domestic Sales |
Export Sales |
Highlights |
Maruti Suzuki |
1,80,683 |
-0.5% |
1,34,050 |
36,538 |
Compact cars steady, mini & UV down |
Hyundai |
60,501 |
-4.23% |
44,001 |
16,500 |
Exports up 21% YoY |
Tata Motors |
43,315 |
-7% |
41,001 |
2,314 |
Best-ever EV sales 8,540 units |
Mahindra |
75,901 |
Flat |
39,399 (SUVs) |
3,548 |
SUVs down 9%, exports up 16% |
Toyota |
34,236 |
+11% |
29,302 |
4,934 |
Double-digit growth both segments |
Maruti Suzuki: Leader Amid Slight Decline
- Wholesale sales stood at 1,80,683 units, a marginal decrease from the previous year as domestic sales dropped by 7% to 1,44,145 units.
- The compact segment (Baleno, Swift, WagonR) held steady with 59,597 units, but mini cars and utility vehicles declined.
- Exports soared to 36,538 units, indicating healthy international demand
Hyundai: Second Largest, Focus on Exports
- Total sales were 60,501 units, with 44,001 domestic and 16,500 exported—exports up 21% YoY.
- Compared to last August, overall sales fell 4.2% as domestic volumes lost ground to Mahindra and Tata Motors.
- Hyundai reaffirmed India’s importance as a manufacturing and export hub, hinting at a focus on global markets.
Tata Motors: Strong in Electric, Decline in ICE
- Passenger vehicle sales dropped 7% YoY to 43,315 units, but the company achieved its best-ever EV sales month at 8,540 units (up 44%).
- Export sales spiked by 573%, albeit from a small base.
- Domestic sales (41,001) pushed Tata above Mahindra in the home market.
Mahindra: SUV Sales Dip, Commercial & Exports Rise
- Total vehicle sales flat at 75,901 units; however, domestic SUV sales fell 9%, indicating GST and inventory correction impact.
- Exports increased 16%, and the company expects a festive season uptick post-GST rationalization.
- Commercial vehicle and three-wheeler segments offset passenger vehicle declines.
Toyota: Double-Digit Growth
- Total sales reached 34,236 units, marking a robust 11% year-on-year rise.
- Domestic sales climbed 2.4%, while exports skyrocketed by 115% compared to last year thanks to models like the Innova Crysta and Hycross.
- Toyota’s strategy of product innovation and a focus on both domestic buyers and exports paid dividends.
Key Takeaways & Industry Impact
- GST rate uncertainty prompted brands like Mahindra to slow dealer inventory, suppressing wholesale numbers for August.
- Electric vehicles are making a bigger contribution to Tata and MG’s sales than ever before, suggesting accelerated consumer acceptance.
- Despite the fluctuations, Maruti Suzuki’s wide portfolio and brand equity secure its leadership, though premium and utility vehicle segments face headwinds.
- Export growth is a theme across brands, especially for Hyundai and Toyota—where India is becoming a strategic base for international markets
Conclusion
August 2025’s sales reflect not just brand-specific performances but broader macroeconomic and policy-driven shifts that will define the festive season and the remainder of the year for Indian automakers. The sales performance of these top five brands—Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, Tata Motors, Mahindra, and Toyota—offers a snapshot of an industry at the crossroads of transformation, technological change, and global ambition.