December 2025 Passenger Vehicle Sales Show Uneven Growth Across Indian Auto Market
India’s passenger vehicle sales for December 2025 reveal slowing momentum for Kia and rising pressure on Tata and Mahindra, even as Maruti Suzuki tightens its market dominance.
As December 2025 comes to a close, the Indian passenger vehicle (PV) market has provided a clear roadmap of where the industry is heading. While the year ended with a surge of activity, the performance of the top five players revealed a widening gap between those riding the momentum and those feeling the squeeze of a hyper-competitive market.
As per the sales reflected in the latest industry chart, Maruti Suzuki continued its commanding dominance, Hyundai staged a solid comeback, Tata Motors and Mahindra remained in a tight contest, while Kia ended the month under pressure.
The numbers not only capture monthly performance but also offer deeper insight into shifting consumer preferences, product strategies, and brand momentum heading into 2026.
Maruti Suzuki: The Market Leader
Maruti Suzuki once again proved why it remains the backbone of India’s passenger vehicle industry. In December 2025, the company recorded 92,929 units, nearly doubling the volumes of its nearest competitor. This is not just leadership, it is a market control.
The brand’s strength lies in its unmatched reach across price points and body styles. Entry-level hatchbacks like Alto and S-Presso continue to deliver consistent volumes, while the Baleno, Swift, and WagonR remain household names.
Importantly, Maruti’s growing SUV portfolio, led by Brezza, Grand Vitara, Fronx, and Jimny has ensured it competitiveness in the country’s fastest-growing segment.
December also benefits Maruti due to strong rural demand, year-end offers, and fleet sales, all of which tend to favour brands with extensive dealer networks and cost-efficient ownership. With nearly 93,000 units sold in a single month, Maruti Suzuki enters 2026 from a position of overwhelming strength.
Hyundai
Hyundai Motor India emerged as the second-best-selling passenger vehicle manufacturer in December 2025, posting 58,702 units. This performance signals a clear recovery after several months of inconsistent volumes.
Hyundai’s rebound can largely be attributed to the sustained popularity of the Creta, which continues to be one of India’s best-selling midsize SUVs. The Venue, Exter, and Verna also played key roles, covering compact SUV and sedan segments effectively.
Hyundai’s ability to balance premium positioning with competitive pricing has worked in its favour, especially among urban buyers.
The numbers indicate that Hyundai has successfully addressed supply-side constraints and aligned production with festive and year-end demand. While still far behind Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai’s comfortable second position reinforces its status as India’s most stable non-domestic OEM.
Tata Motors
Tata Motors closed December 2025 with 42,508 units, placing it third among passenger vehicle manufacturers. While these numbers are respectable, they reflect a plateau compared to Tata’s rapid growth phase seen in previous years.
The company’s portfolio - spanning the Punch, Nexon, Tiago, Altroz, Harrier, and Safari remains one of the most diverse in the market. Tata also continues to dominate India’s electric vehicle space, which adds to its brand equity.
However, December’s figures suggest increasing competition and possible demand fatigue in some segments.
Another factor could be the growing overlap with Mahindra in the SUV space, where both brands are targeting similar buyers. Tata’s challenge moving forward will be to refresh its lineup and maintain momentum without relying heavily on discounts.
Mahindra: Close Behind Tata with 39,300 Units
Mahindra followed closely with 39,300 units, reinforcing its strong positioning in the utility vehicle and SUV segments. While marginally behind Tata Motors, Mahindra’s numbers reflect healthy demand for models like the Scorpio-N, XUV700, Thar, and Bolero range.
Mahindra’s strategy is clear - focus on rugged, aspirational SUVs rather than chasing mass-market hatchback volumes. The sales suggest that this approach continues to resonate, especially in semi-urban and rural markets, as well as among younger buyers seeking performance-oriented vehicles.
However, limited production capacity and longer waiting periods may have capped Mahindra’s monthly volumes. If supply constraints ease in 2026, Mahindra has the potential to challenge Tata more aggressively for the third spot.
Kia India
Kia India recorded 28,700 units in December 2025, making it the weakest performer among the five major brands featured. While not disastrous, the figure highlights a visible slowdown for a brand that once disrupted the market with explosive growth.
The Seltos and Sonet remain Kia’s volume drivers, but increasing competition from refreshed rivals has put pressure on sales. Additionally, the Carens, while popular in the MPV space, caters to a more niche audience compared to compact SUVs.
Kia’s December numbers suggest that the brand may need fresh product interventions or feature updates to regain momentum. The market is moving fast, and incremental updates may no longer be enough to sustain high growth.
What December 2025 Sales Mean for Car Buyers
December is traditionally a crucial month for the Indian auto industry due to year-end discounts, corporate purchases, and buyer anticipation ahead of January price hikes. TheThis sales data highlights several key trends:
Maruti Suzuki’s dominance remains unshaken, driven by scale, affordability, and unmatched reach.
Maruti Suzuki’s dominance remains unshaken, driven by scale, affordability, and unmatched reach.
Hyundai has stabilized its position, proving that consistent product updates still matter.
Tata Motors and Mahindra are locked in a competitive duel, especially in the SUV-heavy mid-market.
Kia is facing mounting pressure, signaling the need for strategic refreshes in 2026.
The December 2025 passenger vehicle sales data doesn’t just reflect how carmakers performed, it also offers important cues for buyers planning a purchase in early 2026. From pricing to availability and negotiation leverage, the numbers point to a market that is tightening in key segments.
Mahindra and Hyundai continue to face supply-demand imbalance in popular models. Vehicles such as the Scorpio-N, XUV700, Thar, Creta, and Venue are likely to carry forward extended waiting periods into early 2026.
For buyers, this means planning purchases well in advance, as spot deliveries may be difficult unless cancellations or specific variants become available.
India Passenger Vehicle Sales – December 2025
| Rank | Company | December 2025 Sales (Units) | Market Sentiment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maruti Suzuki | 92,929 | Strong dominance |
| 2 | Hyundai | 58,702 | Recovery phase |
| 3 | Tata Motors | 42,508 | Growth pressure |
| 4 | Mahindra | 39,300 | Supply-limited |
| 5 | Kia India | 28,700 | Momentum loss |
Outlook for 2026
As the industry moves into 2026, expectations are high. New model launches, stricter emission norms, evolving EV policies, and rising input costs will all shape the competitive landscape. Brands with strong brand trust, wide portfolios, and efficient supply chains, like Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai are best placed to weather variability.For Tata and Mahindra, the focus will be on sustaining SUV leadership while expanding into new powertrain technologies. Kia, meanwhile, may need bold product actions to reclaim its earlier growth trajectory.
The stats was not just a closing chapter for the year, it was a preview of the battles that will define India’s passenger vehicle market in the months ahead.
