Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) sold 30,360 vehicles in October 2026, down nearly 29 per cent from the 42,892 units it dispatched in the same month last year, as the Bengaluru-based carmaker lost ground during what was otherwise a record festive season for the Indian passenger vehicle industry.
Domestic sales fell to 29,521 units from 40,257 a year earlier, while exports dropped sharply to 839 units from 2,635. The comparison is skewed by an unusually strong October 2025, when a cut in goods and services tax rates pulled forward demand across the industry. Even so, the decline pushed Toyota down to sixth among Indian carmakers for the month, behind Maruti Suzuki, which logged its best-ever month at over 2.12 lakh units, Mahindra, Tata Motors, Hyundai, and Kia, which also recorded its strongest month yet.
For the January-October period, TKM's cumulative sales rose 3 per cent to 3,25,274 units, with domestic sales up 4 per cent at 2,99,140 units and exports down 8 per cent at 26,134 units. That growth rate has eased steadily through the year, from 19 per cent in the first four months to 8 per cent by September, pointing to a slowdown even as the company's overall volumes continue to grow.
Sabari Manohar, Executive Vice-President for Sales, Service and Used Car Business at TKM, said the festive season had "continued to generate encouraging customer interest across markets, reflecting the trust in Toyota's products and services." He added that the company's focus remained on "creating value for customers through a diverse product portfolio, enhanced ownership experiences and customer-centric initiatives."
Manohar also pointed to customer interest in the recently updated Glanza, which Toyota introduced with a facelifted design, a new 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine, and features including radar-based driver assistance, a wireless charger and a CNG-automatic option. Priced between Rs 6.99 lakh and Rs 10.98 lakh, ex-showroom, deliveries of the hatchback are due to begin this month, meaning any uptick in interest so far reflects bookings rather than retail sales.
October's divergence underlines a wider pattern through 2026. Toyota's hybrid line-up, led by the Innova Hycross and Urban Cruiser Hyryder, continues to anchor its India business and still commands the bulk of the country's strong-hybrid segment. But hybrid dispatches industry-wide have been falling for months, even as rivals have expanded aggressively in SUVs, compact vehicles and price points that undercut Toyota's largely premium-leaning range. With festive dispatches across the industry crossing five lakh units for the first time, and competitors converting that demand more effectively, Toyota's October performance suggests the pressure on its market share is unlikely to ease quickly.
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