India ships more utility vehicles than cars in Nov 2025; FY26 may see UV exports overtake

The ongoing rise in domestic demand for SUVs, MPVs and MUVs — including among first-time owners — is now mirrored in exports as utility vehicle exports from India have surpassed passenger car shipments for the first time.November marked the first instance when utility vehicle exports exceeded cars across categories. Utility vehicle exports stood at 42,993 units. Passenger car exports stood at 40,519 units, as per SIAM data.
Until recently, cars dominated India’s export basket. In FY24, passenger car exports were 4.3 lakh units. Utility vehicle exports were 2.3 lakh units.
The gap narrowed in the current year. Between April and November 2025, car exports rose to 3.04 lakh units from 2.71 lakh units a year earlier. Utility vehicle exports rose to 2.88 lakh units from 2.22 lakh units in the same period.According to a Times of India report, the trend could push utility vehicles ahead of cars on an annual basis. FY26 is expected to be the first full year when utility vehicle exports overtake passenger car exports.

Maruti Suzuki is the largest exporter of vehicles from India and contributes more than 47% of all passenger vehicles shipped overseas, including cars, utility vehicles and vans. In the passenger car segment, Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai together account for about 81% of exports so far this fiscal.

In utility vehicles, Maruti Suzuki leads. Nissan, Toyota and Hyundai are other key exporters. Maruti’s total utility vehicle exports are nearly equal to the combined shipments of other manufacturers in the segment.

Sub-four-metre SUVs form about 62% of total utility vehicle exports. Exports of electric vehicles are rising, but compact formats continue to lead. Eight of the 10 most-exported passenger vehicles from India are under four metres in length.