India's Auto Sector Roars Back: Record-Breaking Sales Defy Expectations

As of November 10, 2025, India's automotive sector has seen a remarkable resurgence, with the recent GST (Goods and Services Tax) rationalisation playing a significant role. Data from the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA) shows that the 42-day festive season, spanning from mid-September to October, witnessed a substantial increase in vehicle sales.

Passenger vehicle sales grew by 23% compared to the same period in 2024, while two-wheelers and commercial vehicles saw increases of 22% and 15%, respectively. When looking at October 2025 alone, the growth was even more impressive, with passenger vehicles up 11.4%, two-wheelers up 51.8%, and commercial vehicles up 17.7% year-on-year.

The GST rate cuts, particularly on entry-level two-wheelers and small cars, have been a significant driver of this surge in demand. Many customers had held off on purchases in anticipation of the tax reforms, leading to a massive jump in sales once the new rates came into effect on September 22.

Interestingly, the growth has been largely driven by rural India, which has seen passenger vehicle sales grow over three times faster than urban areas, and two-wheeler growth nearly double the urban rate. This shift in the demand map is attributed to a strong monsoon, higher farm incomes, and increased infrastructure spending.

FADA President C.S. Vigneshwar hailed October 2025 as a "landmark month for India's auto retail," where "reforms, festivities and rural resurgence came together to deliver record-breaking results." The industry is now hoping to sustain this momentum through the upcoming wedding season and new model launches.