Car sales surge in January ... record growth driven by strong SUV demand

India’s passenger vehicle manufacturers began the year on a strong note, posting robust wholesale sales in January. Carmakers dispatched nearly 4.5 lakh vehicles from factories to dealerships across the country during the month, marking a year-on-year growth of about 12.6%.

Industry experts attribute the rise mainly to strong demand for SUVs. Recent GST-related changes and lower inventory levels at dealerships also contributed to record wholesale numbers.

Among manufacturers, Maruti Suzuki India led the market with wholesale sales of 236,963 units, registering a 12% growth. The company said this was the highest monthly sales figure in its history.

Tata Motors followed with 70,222 units, recording a sharp 46.1% increase. Mahindra & Mahindra sold 63,510 units, up 25.4%.

Meanwhile, Hyundai Motor India reported sales of 59,107 units, a growth of 9.5%, while Toyota Kirloskar Motor posted a 17% rise with 30,630 units sold.

Overall, the strong start signals positive momentum for the passenger vehicle industry in the months ahead.