Did India's Auto Deals Really Surge to $4.6 Billion in Q3 2025, Marking the Strongest Quarter Ever?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- India's automotive sector achieved a significant deal value of $4.6 billion in Q3 2025.
- Tata Motors led the surge with a $3.8 billion acquisition of Iveco S.P.A..
- The quarter demonstrated a strategic focus on global expansion and electrification.
- M&A activity showcased a 1,234 percent increase in value compared to Q2.
- Private equity remained strong in sectors like electric mobility and Mobility-as-a-Service.
New Delhi, Oct 22 (NationPress) The automotive sector in India witnessed a remarkable deal value of $4.6 billion through 30 transactions during the July-September (Q3) 2025 timeframe, making it the most robust quarter in over a year, according to a report released on Wednesday.
This remarkable increase was largely driven by Tata Motors’ $3.8 billion acquisition of Iveco S.P.A., which represented an astounding 95 percent of the total mergers and acquisitions (M&A) value for Q3 2025, the report from Grant Thornton Bharat noted.
The quarter illustrated a strategic shift focusing on global expansion, electrification, and supply chain recalibration. Both strategic buyers and private investors have heightened their attention on platforms that are prepared for the future of mobility, as stated in the report.
While the number of deals remained steady compared to the previous quarter, the values soared due to the outbound acquisition by Tata Motors.
The M&A landscape was primarily characterized by cross-border consolidation, while the interest from private equity (PE) remained strong in scalable, tech-oriented segments, including electric mobility, fleet electrification, and Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS).
In the M&A arena, there were seven deals amounting to $4.1 billion, showcasing a 1,234 percent rise in value compared to Q2. Cross-border transactions made up 71 percent of the total volume and 99 percent of the value.
Private equity transactions included 23 deals worth $531 million, reflecting a 15 percent increase in volume but a 17 percent decline in value compared to Q2, with 70 percent of these deals being under $10 million.
Moreover, Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) continued to dominate the private equity deal flow, representing nearly 80 percent of total PE value.
Additionally, funding backed by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) in electric bus operators, totaling $137 million, further solidified investor confidence in urban electrification and multimodal transport infrastructure.
Despite a subdued public market activity in Q3 2025, with no significant IPOs or QIPs, investor enthusiasm remains high for the anticipated Toyota IPO in 2026, which is expected to reshape investment trends and rejuvenate interest in the sector.