India's car market has posted its best-ever September. According to retail data from the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA), 4,27,213 passenger vehicles were sold in September 2026, up 32.1% from a year earlier. The bigger talking point is the fight for second place. Mahindra overtook Tata Motors by just 89 units.
Top 10 Carmakers: September 2026 Retail Sales
| Rank | Carmaker | Sep 2026 | MoM | YoY | Market share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maruti Suzuki | 1,69,132 | +2.38% | +30.05% | 39.59% |
| 2 | Mahindra | 57,343 | +14.13% | +38.93% | 13.42% |
| 3 | Tata Motors | 57,254 | -1.02% | +28.66% | 13.40% |
| 4 | Hyundai | 50,201 | +6.84% | +31.46% | 11.75% |
| 5 | Toyota | 28,050 | +12.85% | +21.56% | 6.57% |
| 6 | Kia | 26,663 | +14.09% | +45.91% | 6.24% |
| 7 | Skoda VW Group | 8,479 | +13.52% | +13.51% | 1.98% |
| 8 | MG | 6,475 | +11.95% | +13.74% | 1.52% |
| 9 | Honda | 5,283 | +6.34% | +42.51% | 1.24% |
| 10 | Renault | 3,410 | +4.12% | +33.10% | 0.80% |
Source: FADA retail data. Telangana RTO data is not included.
Maruti Still Sells More Than the Next Three Combined
Maruti Suzuki retailed 1,69,132 cars, more than Mahindra, Tata and Hyundai put together. Its market share did slip slightly, from 40.21% to 39.59%.
Mahindra vs Tata: The 89-Car Battle
Mahindra grew 14.13% month on month, the highest among the top 10. That took its share to 13.42%. Tata was the only top-10 brand to decline month on month (-1.02%), even though it was still up 28.66% year on year. Mahindra's SUV lineup, from the XUV 3XO to the Scorpio N, keeps pulling buyers. Tata's mainstays like the Nexon are now backed by heavy October offers. A gap this small means October could flip the order again.
Hyundai and Kia
Hyundai stayed fourth with 50,201 units (+31.46% YoY). Its next big launch is the Hyundai Bayon, expected later this month. Kia was the fastest-growing brand year on year, up 45.91% to 26,663 units, helped by the second-generation Seltos and the newly launched Kia Sorento.
Petrol vs CNG vs EV: Fuel Mix
| Fuel | Sep 2026 | Aug 2026 | Sep 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol / ethanol | 41.27% | 40.85% | 47.18% |
| Diesel | 17.74% | 17.21% | 17.76% |
| CNG / LPG | 23.11% | 25.28% | 22.02% |
| Hybrid | 9.44% | 9.04% | 7.30% |
| EV | 8.45% | 7.63% | 5.74% |
Petrol took the top spot back, with a narrow lead. CNG, hybrids and EVs together account for 41%, almost the same as petrol. EV share has climbed from 5.74% to 8.45% in a year.
Read the 32% Growth Carefully
September 2025 was an unusually weak month because buyers waited for the GST 2.0 price cuts. That makes this year's growth look bigger than it is. October 2025 was the best October ever, with more than 4,66,800 cars sold, so October 2026 will be a tougher and fairer test. FADA's dealer survey shows 75.57% of dealers expect growth this month, helped by Navratri and Dussehra. Check our Navratri car discount list if you are buying.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many cars were sold in India in September 2026?
FADA data shows 4,27,213 passenger vehicles were retailed in September 2026. That is up 32.1% year on year and is the best September on record.
Did Mahindra beat Tata in September 2026?
Yes. Mahindra retailed 57,343 units against Tata's 57,254, a gap of just 89 units, to take second place.
Which carmaker grew fastest?
Among the top 10, Kia grew the fastest year on year (+45.91%, 26,663 units). Mahindra had the highest month-on-month growth (+14.13%).
What share of cars sold were EVs?
EVs made up 8.45% of retail sales in September 2026, up from 5.74% a year earlier. Hybrids were 9.44% and CNG/LPG 23.11%.
Why was growth so high?
Part of the 32.1% growth comes from a weak September 2025 base, when buyers had delayed purchases ahead of the GST 2.0 price cuts.
