Navratri ignites record auto sales in India

The Indian automobile sector commenced the festive season with historic sales as Tata Motors and pre-owned car platform CARS24 reported significant activity on the first day of Navratri 2025, following the implementation of GST 2.0 rate cuts.

Tata Motors recorded 10,000 vehicle deliveries on Day 1, alongside 25,000+ customer enquiries, marking a historic achievement for the company. In a statement, Tata Motors said, “With the commencement of the festive season, supported by the benefits announced by Tata Motors and the implementation of GST 2.0 rate cuts, the company has recorded noteworthy performance on the very first day of the reforms taking effect.”

The pre-owned car segment also saw substantial growth. CARS24 reported a 400% increase in deliveries by 2:00 pm on the first day of Navratri compared to daily averages and recorded over 5,000 vehicle inspections, the highest in four years. The company stated that the revised GST slabs, which came into effect on the same day, have positively influenced the used car market by reducing overall automobile ownership costs.

Industry sources noted that Navratri is traditionally a high-volume period for car sales, and the current GST reforms have contributed to increased consumer activity. Tata Motors’ performance highlights strong demand across its product range, while CARS24 indicated both buying and selling activity contributed to the surge.

Although specific data for other manufacturers such as Hyundai, Maruti Suzuki, or Mahindra & Mahindra are not yet available, the sector-wide trend indicates robust festive season activity. Mahindra & Mahindra is expected to release its sales figures on October 1.

The GST 2.0 rate cuts, combined with ongoing festive demand, have supported record-breaking performance in both new and pre-owned vehicles. Data on the split between petrol, diesel, and electric vehicles for this period has not been disclosed.