What Factors Led to the Surge in Commercial Vehicle and 2-Wheeler Sales in October?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Commercial vehicles reported a 17.7% YoY growth in retail sales.
- Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs) achieved a remarkable 29.8% YoY increase.
- Electric two-wheeler sales reached 1,44,365 units, up 4% YoY.
- GST 2.0 reforms played a crucial role in boosting demand.
- The industry anticipates a 3-5% growth in FY2026.
New Delhi, Nov 25 (NationPress) The Indian automotive sector experienced a remarkable revival in October, as the commercial vehicle (CV) and two-wheeler categories reported significant retail sales growth. This surge was largely attributed to the introduction of GST 2.0 reforms, which lowered tax rates, coupled with heightened festive enthusiasm and increased rural demand, as highlighted in a report released on Tuesday.
The CV segment exhibited strong underlying demand, achieving an impressive 17.7 percent year-on-year (YoY) growth in retail volumes, along with a remarkable 49.5 percent sequential growth for October 2025. Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs) emerged as the top performers, with retail volumes rising by 29.8 percent YoY and 64.3 percent sequentially.
According to ICRA, this surge was fueled by logistics requirements from rural regions, the impact of GST reforms, and robust festive purchasing.
Conversely, Medium and Heavy Commercial Vehicles (M&HCVs) experienced a minor decline of 1.4 percent YoY in retail sales, as fleet operators delayed their acquisitions in anticipation of BS-VII regulations.
However, a notable 26 percent sequential growth indicates a release of pent-up demand following the GST announcement.
In parallel, the domestic CV wholesale volumes reflected a solid 11.4 percent YoY growth in October 2025, alongside a 7.8 percent sequential increase.
During the initial seven months of FY2026, wholesale volumes rose by 4.5 percent YoY, primarily driven by enhanced freight movement and a resurgence in infrastructure development.
The report predicts that the Indian CV sector will register a moderate YoY growth of 3-5 percent in wholesale volumes for FY2026, supported by the resumption of construction and infrastructure projects, along with a stable economic backdrop.
Simultaneously, the domestic two-wheeler market experienced an unprecedented month, with retail sales soaring 51.8 percent YoY to reach a record high in October 2025, according to another report from ICRA.
The electric two-wheeler sector maintained its steady growth trajectory, with retail volumes hitting 1,44,365 units, up 4 percent YoY. The segment's penetration within the overall market remained stable at 6-7 percent.