Festive rush fuels record auto sales: Mahindra, Toyota, Skoda, Escorts ride GST cut boost

Mahindra logs best-ever SUV sales; Toyota up 39%, Skoda hits all-time monthly record amid festive demand surge

India’s leading automakers posted robust sales growth in October, powered by festive-season buying, strong rural sentiment, and the recent GST rate cut announced in September.

Mahindra & Mahindra, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, and Skoda Auto India all reported their best-ever monthly performances, signalling a buoyant consumer mood across both urban and rural markets.

Mahindra reports record SUV sales, solid tractor growth

Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd (M&M) reported a 26 percent year-on-year growth in total auto sales at 1,20,142 units in October 2025, according to a regulatory filing.

Passenger vehicle sales jumped 31 percent to 71,624 units, compared with 54,504 units last year, the highest SUV sales ever in a single month, the company said.

“In October, we achieved SUV sales of 71,624 units, the highest we’ve clocked in a month,” said Nalinikanth Gollagunta, CEO, Automotive Division, M&M.

Commercial vehicle sales also rose 14 percent to 31,741 units, while exports surged 41 percent to 1,589 units.

Farm equipment business strong

Mahindra’s farm segment continued to perform well, driven by a good monsoon and upbeat rural sentiment.

Total tractor sales rose 13 percent to 73,660 units, with domestic sales up 12 percent at 72,071 units.

“A good monsoon and the GST rate cut have supported the strong performance in September and October,” said Veejay Nakra, President, Farm Equipment Business. “The timely onset of Rabi sowing and good progress in Kharif harvesting augur well for tractor demand.”

Toyota Kirloskar sales jump 39 percent 

Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) also saw a strong festive push, with total sales rising 39 percent year-on-year to 42,892 units in October 2025, up from 30,845 units a year ago.

The company exported 2,635 units during the month.

“Our festive editions of the Urban Cruiser Hyryder Aero Edition and Fortuner Leader Edition, coupled with a positive economic environment and GST reforms, boosted enquiries and orders,” said Varinder Wadhwa, Vice President, Sales-Service-Used Car Business, TKM.

He added that government reforms and high consumer confidence had helped sustain momentum through the festive season.

Skoda hits all-time monthly record

Skoda Auto India delivered its highest-ever monthly sales, selling 8,252 units in October 2025, surpassing its previous records and pushing year-to-date sales to 61,607 units, already higher than its 2022 full-year total.

The growth was driven by the success of its new sub-4 metre SUV Kylaq, steady demand for the Kodiaq 4x4, and strong contributions from the Kushaq and Slavia sedan, the company said in a press statement.

“This milestone of our biggest sales ever is a testament to the brand’s renewed strength and execution agility in India,” said Ashish Gupta, Brand Director, Skoda Auto India.

Escorts Kubota rides festive demand and GST cut boost

Farm and construction equipment maker Escorts Kubota Ltd reported a 3.8 percent year-on-year increase in total tractor sales for October 2025, driven by strong festive buying, government support and improved rural liquidity.

The company sold 18,798 tractors during the month, up from 18,110 units in October 2024, according to its regulatory filing on Saturday.

“The tractor industry continued positive momentum in October, fuelled by preponed festive demand, reduced GST rates and favourable agricultural conditions,” Escorts Kubota said in a statement.

Domestic sales grew 3.3 percent to 18,423 units, compared with 17,839 units a year ago, as rural consumption remained resilient.

Exports registered a much sharper rise, up 38.4 percent at 375 units, against 271 units in the same month last year, reflecting improving overseas traction for Indian farm machinery.