February 2025 marked another important milestone for the auto industry, showcasing diverse performance across major players. While some companies thrived, others navigated challenges, particularly amid shifting economic conditions. Leading the charge is Maruti Suzuki, India's largest passenger car manufacturer, which reported total sales of 1.99 lakh units, slightly shy of the 2.05 lakh unit target set by CNBC-TV18. Despite this marginal shortfall, the company recorded a year-on-year growth of 1%, selling 1.97 lakh units during the same month last year. This upward movement reflects positively on domestic demand, which rose by 3.6%, amounting to 1.74 lakh units compared to 1.68 lakh units last year.
Although Maruti Suzuki excelled on the home turf, its export performance took a hit, registering a 13.5% drop. Exports fell to 25,021 units from 28,927 units the previous year, attributed to the broader dynamics of the global market. Nevertheless, the company maintained its significant presence as domestic models continued to meet consumer expectations.
Meanwhile, Toyota Kirloskar Motor reported impressive figures, witnessing a 13% year-on-year surge with sales hitting 28,414 units compared to 25,220 units the year prior. This growth was driven by strong demand for their Multi-Purpose Vehicles (MPVs) and SUVs, which combined contributed 68% of their total sales. Notable models like the Innova Crysta, Urban Cruiser Hyryder, and Hilux were particularly popular among consumers.
On another front, Mahindra & Mahindra's performance outshone expectations with total sales reaching 83,702 units, exceeding the CNBC-TV18 poll estimate of 81,840 units and marking a remarkable 14.8% year-over-year growth. Passenger vehicle sales alone surged by 19% YoY, totaling 50,420 units. Exports also saw impressive gains, nearly doubling to 3,061 units, coupled with tractor sales of 25,527 units which exceeded expectations by 18% YoY.
Hyundai Motor India, by comparison, faced difficulties, reporting total vehicle dispatches of 58,727 units—a decline of 3% from 60,501 units last year. Domestic sales dipped by 5%, with 47,727 units dispatched, yet export figures improved slightly, rising to 11,000 units from 10,300 units. Tarun Garg, Whole-time Director and CEO of Hyundai Motor India, remarked, "Despite geopolitical challenges, we remain optimistic..." on projected tax reforms and liquidity improvements aiding future demand.
On the international stage, XPENG Inc., a leading Chinese smart electric vehicle manufacturer, demonstrated remarkable growth, reporting 30,453 Smart EV deliveries for February 2025, reflecting a staggering 570% increase compared to the same month last year. The XPENG MONA M03 sustained impressive momentum, surpassing 15,000 unit sales consistently for three months, and the XPENG P7+ experienced cumulative deliveries exceeding 30,000 just three months post-launch.
XPENG’s elevated performance for the first two months of the year also showcased significant adoption of its smart driving features, boasting active user penetration rates of 86% and highlighting the ability of their vehicles to support long-distance travel, with single vehicle mileage hitting 12,300 kilometers.
Overall, February 2025's auto sales figures reflect the industry's nuanced nature as manufacturers like Maruti Suzuki and Mahindra & Mahindra thrive amid rising domestic demand, whereas Hyundai faces challenges. Meanwhile, XPENG’s impressive advancements cement its competitive edge within the burgeoning EV market. Market analysts anticipate the rest of 2025 may hold lucrative opportunities for stakeholders willing to adapt and innovate amid global economic shifts.