Mahindra crosses 1 lakh vehicle sales in July as SUVs drive growth

MUMBAI: Mahindra has put its foot firmly on the accelerator. Mahindra & Mahindra recorded total automotive sales of 1,03,860 vehicles in July, up around 26 per cent year-on-year, as strong SUV demand was joined by broad-based growth across commercial vehicles, three-wheelers and tractors. The company’s utility vehicle business remained the biggest contributor, with domestic SUV sales rising 20 per cent to 60,048 units, compared with 49,871 units in July last year. Including exports, total SUV sales stood at 60,887 units.

It was the second consecutive month in which Mahindra crossed the 60,000-unit mark for SUVs, underlining sustained demand for its portfolio, which includes the Scorpio-N, Scorpio Classic, Thar, XUV700, XUV 3XO and Bolero.

The Scorpio range continued to lead Mahindra’s SUV line-up, with 16,009 units sold in July, up 16 per cent from a year earlier. The Thar followed with 10,558 units, while the XUV 3XO, Bolero and XUV 7XO also recorded strong volumes.

But the July story was not just about SUVs. Domestic sales of commercial vehicles in the sub-3.5-tonne category increased 23 per cent year-on-year to 25,204 units. Within that, light commercial vehicles weighing less than two tonnes posted an even sharper 40 per cent increase to 3,870 units.

Three-wheelers were among the fastest-growing parts of the business, with sales jumping 53 per cent to 14,538 units, supported by both passenger and cargo applications.

Mahindra’s international business also picked up pace, with exports climbing 47 per cent year-on-year to 4,070 vehicles during the month.

The company’s farm equipment business added another layer to the growth story. Domestic tractor sales rose 21 per cent to 32,643 units, while total tractor sales, including exports, reached 34,420 units. Mahindra attributed the tractor performance to healthy rural demand, reservoir levels and kharif sowing activity, giving the company momentum beyond its urban-focused SUV portfolio.

Commenting on the performance, Nalinikanth Gollagunta, CEO of Mahindra’s Automotive Division, highlighted the company’s 60,048 domestic SUV sales and total vehicle sales of 1,03,860 units for July.

With SUVs continuing to pull the biggest weight while commercial vehicles, three-wheelers, exports and tractors also accelerate, Mahindra’s July numbers point to a broader-based sales run rather than a one-model show.