Passenger vehicle wholesales jump 26% in December

Domestic passenger vehicle (PV) wholesales rose around 26 per cent year-on-year to nearly 4.05 lakh units in December, driven by sustained demand following the goods and services tax (GST) rationalisation in September and attractive year-end discounts offered by automakers. December dispatches from manufacturers to dealers rose 26.2 per cent to 4,07,497 units, compared with 3,22,965 units in the same month last year.

Despite the strong December performance, full-year growth lagged the year-end momentum as demand remained muted in the first half of the year before picking up after the GST rate cut, senior industry executives said. Most carmakers reported healthy growth, with some posting their best-ever December sales, registering increases of up to 37 per cent. SUV penetration rose to 55.8 per cent of total PV sales, up from 53.8 per cent in 2024, while small cars showed signs of recovery following the GST reduction.

Ratings agency ICRA, in a recent report, forecast wholesale volume growth of 1–4 per cent in FY26, supported by steady demand, GST cuts, new model launches and sustained market momentum. The report noted that in November, three-wheeler sales in India rose 21.3 per cent to 71,999 units, while two-wheeler sales jumped 21.2 per cent to 19,44,475 units. Scooter sales increased sharply by 29.4 per cent to 7,35,753 units, reflecting strong urban demand, while motorcycle sales grew 17.5 per cent to 11,63,751 units, aided by steady rural and semi-urban demand. ICRA said continued supportive policy reforms and improved market sentiment are expected to sustain the growth trajectory well into 2026.