Navratri 2026 Sees Mixed Auto Sales with 14% Drop in Cars
Automobile retail sales during Navratri show a slight increase overall, but passenger vehicles experience a significant decline.
Total automobile sales reached 1.032 million units this Navratri.
Passenger vehicle sales fell to 172,087 units, down from 199,320 last year.
Two-wheeler sales increased by 6% to 759,684 units, indicating strong rural demand.
During the Navratri festival period from October 11 to 19, 2026, overall automobile retail sales reached 1.032 million units, marking a modest increase compared to 1.012 million units recorded during the same period last year. Notably, two-wheeler sales rose by 6% to 759,684 units, reflecting robust demand from rural areas. However, the passenger vehicle segment saw a decline, with sales dropping to 172,087 units from 199,320 units in the previous year.
This year's sales performance must be contextualized against an exceptional festival season in 2025, which was significantly boosted by the implementation of GST 2.0 on September 22, 2025. This tax reform led many consumers to delay their purchases, resulting in a surge in demand during the last year's Navratri, which saw a 34% increase in overall automobile sales. The current figures suggest resilience in demand, although the drop in passenger vehicle sales indicates a shift in consumer preferences.
Final registration data for the period up to October 20, including Dussehra, is pending, as registrations from rural regions may take longer to process. Last year's Navratri-Dussehra period extended over 11 days, concluding on October 2, while this year’s celebration lasted for 10 days. Industry experts anticipate a slight decline in sales this year compared to the previous exceptional performance, yet the numbers are closely aligning with last year's figures, indicating sustained industry momentum.
Sai Giridhar, president of Fada, noted that the 10-day sales figures might show a marginal decrease due to last year's high base. He emphasized that despite the challenges, the sales performance in the first nine days has been positive, barring passenger vehicles. The final sales figures are awaited to provide a clearer picture of the market's health.
In terms of other vehicle categories, three-wheeler sales fell by 1.65% to 43,057 units, while construction equipment sales increased by 11% to 2,185 units, and tractor sales rose by 9% to 20,912 units. Industry experts highlight that states like Andhra Pradesh are experiencing strong growth, particularly in the two-wheeler segment, suggesting that rural markets are performing well amidst the mixed overall sales results.
