Car sales May 2025: Maruti retains top spot, how others performed
Maruti Suzuki India has once again emerged as the top carmaker in India for May 2025, holding on to its market leadership despite a slight decline in its monthly figures.The company reported total sales of 1,80,077 units last month, showing a modest 3.2% increase compared to 1,74,551 units sold in May 2024. However, this growth was largely fuelled by a sharp rise in exports, which surged by 80% to 31,219 units. Back home, things were a bit slower – domestic sales, including both passenger vehicles and light commercial vehicles, stood at 1,38,690 units, down 5.5% from the previous year. Passenger vehicle sales alone dipped 5.6% to 1,35,962 units.
Hyundai, Tata face declines
Hyundai Motor India, the country’s second-largest carmaker, saw its total sales drop again this month. The company managed to sell 58,701 units in May, reflecting a 7.6% year-on-year fall. Domestic sales fell by 11% to 43,861 units, although exports offered a slight cushion with a 3% uptick to 14,840 units.Tata Motors also reported a challenging month, with domestic PV sales sliding to 41,557 units: an 11% decline compared to 46,697 units in May 2024. On the whole, Tata’s total vehicle dispatches across domestic and international markets added up to 70,187 units, down from 76,766 units a year ago.
Mahindra and Kia see positive momentum
Mahindra & Mahindra was among the stronger performers in May 2025. The company clocked 84,110 units in total vehicle sales, a 17% rise from May last year. Mahindra’s SUV sales in India led the charge, growing 21% to 52,431 units. Including exports, total utility vehicle sales stood at 54,819 units.Kia India, too, had a solid month, dispatching 22,315 vehicles in May: a healthy 14.4% jump from the 19,500 units sold in May 2024. The company has a strong SUV lineup in the country and recently also added the new Carens Clavis to its product portfolio.
Toyota, MG, and Honda: Varied results
Toyota Kirloskar Motor posted a significant 22% year-on-year growth, selling 30,864 units in May 2025. Of these, 29,280 units were sold domestically while 1,584 units were exported.JSW MG Motor India also reported strong growth, selling 6,304 units: a 40% increase compared to the 4,510 units sold a year ago.Meanwhile, Honda Cars India had a mixed month. The company reported total sales of 5,985 units, with 3,950 units sold domestically and 2,035 units exported. Domestic sales were slightly up from last year’s 4,822 units, but exports saw a sharp decline from 6,521 units in May 2024.
