In a landmark shift in India’s automotive landscape, Mahindra & Mahindra has overtaken Hyundai India to become the country’s second-largest carmaker, snapping Hyundai’s 25-year streak in the process.
The Numbers Behind the Shift
Between January and July 2025, Mahindra sold 351,065 vehicles, outpacing Hyundai’s 329,782 units—a lead of 21,283 units.
This dramatic turnaround comes after last year’s period, where Hyundai held the advantage—selling 358,785 units, while Mahindra trailed with 291,971.
The contrast couldn’t be starker: Mahindra grew sales by 20.2%, whereas Hyundai’s sales declined by 8.1% Angel OneThe Financial ExpressCreckk.
What’s Driving Mahindra’s Momentum?
Mahindra’s growth is credited to its broad appeal across traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles and burgeoning electric vehicles (EVs). Best-selling SUVs like the XUV 3XO, Thar, Thar Roxx, Scorpio, and Scorpio-N remain hot favorites. At the same time, new EVs such as the BE 6 and XEV 9e are gaining traction among environmentally conscious buyers.
Analysts also point to the company’s robust product pipeline, with at least two new models lined up in the coming months, as further fuel for its upward trajectory Angel OneThe Financial ExpressCarbike360Creckk.
Hyundai’s Decline: A Closer Look
Hyundai’s slump, in contrast, can be attributed to over-reliance on its flagship Creta SUV and waning interest across its broader model range. Though Creta deliveries soared 20% (from 162,773 to 194,871 units), combined sales of other models such as the i10 Nios, i20, Aura, Exter, Venue, Verna, Alcazar, Tucson, and Ioniq 5 dropped 10%—falling from 451,948 to 403,795 units.
While Hyundai plans to roll out an updated Venue in October 2025, most market watchers believe it’s too late to close the gap on Mahindra this year The Financial ExpressACKO Drive.
Consistent Monthly Performance
Mahindra hasn’t just led in annual comparisons—it’s outpaced Hyundai in five months this year: February, April, May, June, and July. Notably, in June 2025, Mahindra posted an 18% rise in SUV sales and delivered record quarterly dispatches, while Hyundai and other major players like Maruti Suzuki and Tata Motors saw declines due to sluggish urban demand Reuters.
What About the Broader Market?
Despite Mahindra’s rise to the No. 2 spot, Maruti Suzuki remains firmly in the lead, selling over a million units this period—holding a dominant market share nearing 40%. Tata Motors stays in third/ fourth place depending on segment breakdown.
A New Chapter in India’s Auto Story
Hyundai’s hold as the country’s second-largest carmaker spans back to 2000, when it overtook Tata Motors shortly after entering India in 1998–99 with the Santro model The Financial ExpressACKO DriveCreckkwww.ndtv.com. Now, in 2025, Mahindra has written a new chapter—claiming the slot with its strong ICE and EV portfolio and signaling a shift in consumer preferences.
Looking Ahead
With Mahindra accelerating ahead and Hyundai scrambling to refresh its line-up, the race for the No. 1 position remains wide open. For now, the real winner is the Indian consumer—enjoying better choices, innovation, and competitive pricing.
