May 2026 car sales: Tata retains second place over Mahindra

India’s passenger vehicle market continued its growth momentum in May 2026, with Maruti Suzuki retaining a comfortable lead at the top of the sales charts. Tata Motors held on to second place ahead of Mahindra, while Hyundai, Toyota and Kia maintained their positions in the top six. Lower down the order, MG Motor and Honda rounded out the list of major mass-market carmakers.

1. Maruti Suzuki recorded its highest-ever monthly sales
2. Tata outsold Mahindra by just 1,069 units 
3. Nissan’s domestic sales more than doubled year on year

Maruti Suzuki

Sales: 1,90,337 units, Change: 40 percent YoY

Maruti Suzuki reported domestic passenger vehicle sales of 1,90,337 units in May 2026. SUVs accounted for 79,267 units, while small cars such as the Alto K10, Wagon R and S-Presso contributed 81,555 units. The carmaker also confirmed it will showcase India’s first flex-fuel passenger vehicle on June 4. Separately, Maruti Suzuki announced a price hike of up to Rs 30,000 across select models from June 2026, citing rising input costs and operational expenses.

Tata Motors

Sales: 59,090 units, Change: 42.2 percent YoY

Tata Motors recorded domestic passenger vehicle sales of 59,090 units in May, up 42.2 percent year on year. The company retained its second place in the monthly rankings ahead of Mahindra, although the gap between the two narrowed to just over 1,000 units. 

Tata said Vahan registrations grew by more than 50 percent YoY during the month, while EV sales crossed the 10,000-unit mark for the first time. The company also recently launched the updated Tiago and Tiago EV, bringing significant design, feature and safety upgrades to its entry-level hatchback range. 

Mahindra

Sales: 58,021 units, Change: 10.7 percent YoY

Mahindra registered domestic SUV sales of 58,021 units in May 2026, up 10.7 percent compared to the same month last year. The company remained close behind Tata Motors in the race for second place and said demand across its SUV portfolio remains strong, although volumes were partially constrained by supply-chain challenges affecting select suppliers. Models such as the Scorpio, Thar, XUV 3XO and the newer XUV 7XO SUV continue to support the brand’s growth. 

Hyundai

Sales: 47,837 units, Change: 9.1 percent YoY

Hyundai’s domestic sales rose 9.1 percent year on year to 47,837 units in May. The company said domestic sales for the first two months of FY2027 reached 99,739 units, up 13 percent from the corresponding period last year. Hyundai has also announced a price increase across select models from June 2026, citing rising input costs. Its volumes continue to be led by the Creta, Venue and Exter, along with steady demand for hatchbacks such as the Grand i10 Nios and i20.

Toyota

Sales: 30,574 units, Change: 4.4 percent YoY

Toyota sold 30,574 vehicles in May. During the month, the company crossed the milestone of 3,00,000 cumulative strong-hybrid vehicle sales in India, underlining the growing adoption of hybrid models. Toyota’s sales continue to be supported by strong demand for models such as the Innova Hycross, Urban Cruiser Hyryder and Glanza.

Kia

Sales: 27,586 units, Change: 23.6 percent YoY

Kia India recorded its highest-ever May sales performance with 27,586 units, up 23.6 percent year on year. The company said demand continued to be driven by the Seltos and Sonet, while the Carens Clavis and Syros also contributed to growth. 

MG Motor

Sales: 6,048 units, Change: -4.1 percent YoY

JSW MG Motor reported sales of 6,048 units in May 2026. The company said it maintained volumes despite global supply-chain disruptions, rising commodity prices and higher freight costs. During the month, MG launched the Majestor SUV in India at a starting price of Rs 40.99 lakh. Positioned above the Gloster, the Majestor now serves as the brand’s flagship ICE-powered SUV in the Indian market. 

Skoda

Sales: 5,760 units, Change: -14.5 percent YoY

Compared to May 2025, Skoda’s sales fell 14.5 percent to 5,760 units. The Kylaq continues to be the brand’s key volume driver, alongside the Kushaq and Slavia. Skoda recently introduced the updated Kodiaq in India, bringing added features.

Honda

Sales: 5,111 units, Change: 29.4 percent YoY

Honda sold 5,111 units, up 29.4 percent from 3,950 in the same month last year. Demand continued to be supported by the Amaze and Elevate, while the company recently launched the updated City with revised styling and additional features. Honda also showcased the ZR-V in India as its flagship SUV offering. 

Renault

Sales: 4,113 units, Change: 64 percent YoY

Renault’s sales soared 64 percent year on year to 4,113 units. The recently launched Duster continues to support the brand’s recovery, alongside the Kwid, Kiger and Triber, which remain its core volume models in India.

Nissan

Sales: 2,948 units, Change: 117.7 percent YoY

Nissan recorded domestic wholesales of 2,948 units in May 2026, up 117.7 percent. The Magnite continues to be the brand’s key volume driver, while the recently launched Gravite has also contributed to volumes. Nissan is also set to unveil the Tekton SUV on July 9 as part of its ongoing product offensive in India.

Volkswagen

Sales: 2,619 units, Change: -8 percent YoY

Volkswagen managed 2,619 units, down 8 percent compared to a year ago. The Virtus and Taigun remained the brand’s key volume drivers, while the Tayron and Tiguan catered to buyers in the premium SUV space.

Citroen

Sales: 525 units, Change: 57.7 percent YoY

Citroen, which sells the C3, Aircross, Basalt, C5 Aircross and eC3 models in India, sold 525 units in May 2026, up 57.7 percent year on year.