India two-wheeler retail sales rise nearly 20% in August

India’s two-wheeler retail market saw significant growth in August, with sales estimated to increase between 18% and 20% year-on-year. This momentum was driven by the Onam festival and a favorable low-base effect, according to a report by Yes Securities.

Consumer interest remained strong across both urban and rural markets, with organic inquiries rising 10–12%. Key growth drivers included premium internal-combustion-engine (ICE) models and electric two-wheelers. There is a notable shift in consumer preference toward technology, performance, and feature-rich models rather than a sole focus on affordability.

Demand for alternative-fuel vehicles also surged, with inquiries and bookings for CNG and electric vehicles (EVs) rising by more than 30%. While ICE models have waiting periods of approximately 1 to 1.5 months, high-demand EV brands face longer waiting periods of three to four months. Additionally, passenger vehicle retail sales were estimated to grow by 11–13% year-on-year.