**New Delhi, October 19, 2025** — India’s automotive giants are celebrating a truly sparkling Dhanteras, with Maruti Suzuki India Limited poised to achieve its highest-ever sales figures for the auspicious period, potentially crossing an astounding 50,000 vehicle deliveries. Not to be outdone, Hyundai Motor India has also reported robust growth, with deliveries up by an impressive 20% compared to last year. This surge in car sales signals a powerful revival in consumer confidence, fueled by recent tax reforms and the enduring spirit of India's festive season. The joyous atmosphere in car showrooms across the nation underscores a significant rebound for the passenger vehicle market. With Dhanteras spread across Saturday and Sunday this year, dealerships worked tirelessly, catering to a rush of customers eager to bring home a new vehicle. This unprecedented demand has set the stage for what many in the industry believe will be a landmark Diwali season. ### The Full Story The "GST 2.0 magic," as some industry leaders are calling it, has undeniably played a pivotal role in this festive sales boom. Since September 18, 2025, when the government announced price reductions on a wide array of goods, including cars, consumer sentiment has soared. This move effectively lowered the GST rate on small cars to 18% from 28% and set a flat 40% tax for SUVs, doing away with the previous compensation cess. Th^[1][2]is immediate affordability boost translated directly into a rush of bookings and deliveries. Maruti Suzuki, India's largest carmaker, has been at the forefront of this sales wave. By Saturday evening, the company had already delivered approximately 38,500 vehicles, with expectations to close the day around 41,000 units. Lo^{[3][4][1][5][2][6][7]}oking ahead, Maruti Suzuki anticipates another 10,000 deliveries on Sunday, pushing their total Dhanteras tally to an astonishing 51,000 units. This figure comfortably surpasses their previous Dhanteras record of around 41,500 deliveries from last year. P^{[4][1][8][2][9]}artho Banerjee, Senior Executive Officer of Marketing & Sales at Maruti Suzuki India, highlighted the overwhelming response, stating that the company has been receiving an average of 14,000 bookings every single day. In^{[10][3][4][1][8][9][6]} just one month since the price revisions, Maruti Suzuki has accumulated a staggering 4.5 lakh (450,000) bookings, with nearly 1 lakh (100,000) of those for small cars alone. Th^{[10][3][4][1][8][9][6]}ese numbers reflect a remarkable growth of over 50% in retail sales during the festive season compared to the same period last year, with total retail sales already hitting 3.25 lakh units. To^{[10][3][4][1][8][9]} keep pace with this unprecedented demand, Maruti Suzuki's production facilities have been working overtime, even on holidays, and showrooms have extended their hours late into the night. B^{[3][1][8][2][9]}ut here's the thing: the good news isn't limited to Maruti Suzuki. Hyundai Motor India, the nation's second-largest passenger vehicle manufacturer, also enjoyed a fantastic Dhanteras. The company expects to deliver approximately 14,000 units during this festive window, marking a robust 20% increase over their performance last year. Ta^{[10][4][1][11][5][8][9][6][7]}run Garg, Whole-time Director and Chief Operating Officer of Hyundai Motor India, attributed this strong showing to the vibrant festive sentiment, a buoyant market, and the positive effects of the GST 2.0 reforms. Hy^{[3][1][5][8][9][7]}undai, like Maruti, strategically spread its deliveries across the two auspicious days to accommodate customer preferences. W^[8]hat's more, other major players are also riding this wave. Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles, for instance, is anticipating delivering over 25,000 vehicles during the extended Dhanteras and Diwali period, representing an impressive 30% increase over last year. Th^{[4][11][5][9]}is collective success paints a picture of a thriving automotive sector, eager to make up for any previous slowdowns. ### What This Means This surge in Dhanteras sales is more than just good news for car companies; it's a direct indicator of renewed confidence among everyday Indians. When people feel secure about their finances and the future, they are more likely to make big purchases like a new car. The "GST 2.0 magic" has effectively put more money back into consumers' pockets, making vehicle ownership feel more attainable. For the auto industry, this means a much-needed boost after a period where demand for smaller, more affordable cars was a concern. Th^[12]e renewed interest in vehicles, especially small cars whose share has climbed to 21.5% from 16.7% before the tax reform, suggests that the market is expanding and becoming more inclusive. It^[13] also implies shorter waiting periods for customers as manufacturers ramp up production to meet the soaring demand. This positive momentum is crucial for the thousands of people employed in manufacturing, dealerships, and ancillary industries. **Key Points:** * Maruti Suzuki expects to deliver a record 51,000 vehicles this Dhanteras, surpassing its previous best by nearly 10,000 units. * ^{[4][1][8][2][9]} Hyundai Motor India anticipates around 14,000 deliveries, marking a 20% growth over last year. * ^{[10][4][1][11][5][8][9][6][7]} The recent "GST 2.0" price reductions are a major driver of this increased consumer demand. * ^{[3][1][11][5][8][2][9][6]} Maruti Suzuki received 4.5 lakh bookings in the past month, with daily bookings averaging 14,000 units. * ^{[10][3][4][1][8][9][6]} The festive season, including Dhanteras, typically accounts for 30-40% of India's annual auto sales. #^[14]## The Bigger Picture The Indian auto industry has traditionally seen 30-40% of its annual sales during the festive season, and this year is proving no exception. Th^[14]e record-breaking performance on Dhanteras, coupled with strong Navratri sales, paints a picture of a robust market. This isn't just about cars; it reflects a broader positive sentiment in the economy, with consumer electronics and jewelry also experiencing remarkable influxes of customers. I^[10][7]ndustry experts believe that the combination of favorable government policies, increased disposable income, and the deeply ingrained tradition of buying big-ticket items during auspicious times has created a perfect storm for growth. While the passenger vehicle segment faced some challenges earlier in the year, this festive push could be the game-changer needed to accelerate momentum through the end of the fiscal year. Th^[15]e focus on vehicle safety, with features like six airbags becoming standard in Hyundai models, is also influencing buyer preference. #^[16][17]## What Happens Next? With Dhanteras setting such a high benchmark, the industry is now eagerly looking forward to the rest of the Diwali period. Automakers will be working hard to convert pending bookings into deliveries and manage any potential inventory challenges. The strong performance could also encourage new model launches and further investments in production capacity to sustain this growth. Observers will be watching closely to see if this momentum continues into the post-festive months. Will the "GST 2.0 magic" continue to inspire purchases, or will demand normalize? For now, however, the roar of new engines on Indian roads is a clear sign that the auto sector, and the consumers who drive it, are back in high gear.

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