India's automobile market has created a new record in terms of sales in September 2026. According to the latest data from the Federation of Automobile Dealers Association (FADA), a total of 25,36,920 vehicles were retailed across the country in September. The special thing was that during this period, along with traditional petrol-diesel vehicles, there was a sharp increase in the demand for electric and hybrid vehicles.
Two-wheelers took the biggest share
Two-wheelers contributed the most to total auto sales in September. Demand for motorcycles and scooters remained strong in both rural and urban markets. This segment found a large number of buyers due to everyday commuting and relatively low prices.
Apart from two-wheelers, a good growth was also recorded in the sales of cars and SUVs. The passenger vehicle market also benefited from strong customer bookings and timely deliveries.
Demand for petrol cars still strong
The popularity of petrol engines in the passenger vehicle market continued in September also. According to the data, the share of petrol vehicles in total passenger vehicle sales was 41.27 percent.
Many models, from entry-level cars to large SUVs, are available in petrol options. A large number of customers still prefer petrol vehicles due to their low starting price and easy availability.
Diesel Cars: Diesel's share decreased
The share of diesel vehicles has continued to decline in the last few years. In September 2026, the share of diesel in the passenger vehicle market was about 17.74 percent.
Stringent emissions regulations and increasing availability of petrol, hybrid and electric alternatives have put pressure on diesel vehicles. However, there is still demand for diesel for long distance travel, fleet operations and among buyers of large SUVs.
CNG Cars: Increased demand for low cost option
The popularity of CNG vehicles is continuously increasing among customers looking to spend less on fuel. The combined share of CNG and LPG vehicles in passenger vehicle sales in September was 23.11 percent.
The increasing number of factory-fitted CNG models has also strengthened the segment. These cars remain in demand among buyers who travel long distances daily and are looking for vehicles with low running costs.
Hybrid Cars: New technology is getting strong response
Hybrid technology is also rapidly making its place in the Indian car market. The share of hybrid vehicles in passenger vehicle sales reached 9.44 percent in September 2026.
Strong hybrid models are attracting customers due to fuel economy and the combination of electric motor with petrol engine. Now this technology is not limited to premium cars only, but its presence is increasing in the mass-market segment as well.
EV Sales: Electric vehicles set a new record
September 2026 was very special for the electric vehicle market. Total EV retail sales in the country increased by 74 percent to a record high of 3,33,364 units. With this, the share of electric vehicles in total auto retail increased to about 13 percent.
Electric two-wheelers played a big role in this growth. Their sales reached a new record level of 2,07,314 units in September. At the same time, sales of electric passenger vehicles also almost doubled to 36,108 units.
The picture of Indian auto industry is changing
September figures show that customer preferences in the Indian automobile market are changing rapidly. Petrol and diesel still hold the big market, but CNG, hybrid and especially EV segments are growing rapidly. September 2026 can be considered a strong month for the Indian auto market with record total sales.
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