New Delhi: Honda Cars India recorded a 19% year-on-year increase in domestic sales in October 2026, selling 7,609 units compared to 6,394 units during the same month last year. The growth was supported by festive-season demand and a positive response to the updated Honda Elevate SUV.
However, the company’s overall sales, including exports, declined during the month due to a sharp fall in overseas shipments. Honda Cars India reported total sales of 8,082 units in October, comprising 7,609 domestic units and 473 exported vehicles.
New Honda Elevate Drives Domestic Demand
The recently introduced Honda Elevate facelift emerged as a key contributor to the company’s October sales performance. The updated SUV received an encouraging response following its launch, with refreshed styling and additional features helping attract customers.
Kunal Behl, Vice-President of Marketing and Sales at Honda Cars India, attributed the growth to strong festive demand and positive customer sentiment across the company’s model range.
He said the new Elevate had received an encouraging response from customers, contributing significantly to the company’s sales momentum.
The Elevate competes in India’s mid-size SUV segment against models such as the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara and Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder.
Total Sales Decline Despite Domestic Growth
Despite the improvement in domestic sales, Honda’s combined sales declined by approximately 23% compared to October 2025, when the company recorded total sales of 10,518 units.
The sharp reduction in exports weighed on the overall performance. Honda exported 473 vehicles in October 2026, compared to 4,124 units during the corresponding period last year, representing a decline of around 88.5%.
The contrasting performance of domestic sales and exports indicates that the company’s October growth was primarily driven by the Indian market rather than overseas demand.
Festive Demand Supports Passenger Vehicle Sales
The October performance reflects improved customer activity during the festive season, which typically supports vehicle enquiries, bookings and deliveries across the Indian passenger vehicle market.
Honda said positive customer sentiment was visible across its model portfolio. The company currently manufactures the Amaze, City and Elevate in India, catering to different passenger vehicle segments.
The Elevate’s updated version has become an important contributor to the company’s domestic sales momentum. However, Honda has not released individual model-wise sales figures for October, so the exact number of Elevate units sold during the month is not available.
Honda Looks to Maintain Sales Momentum
Honda Cars India said it expects to sustain the positive momentum in the coming months, supported by customer response to its updated product range.
The company will be looking to maintain domestic demand while addressing the sharp decline in exports. The performance of the Elevate, along with sales of the Amaze and City, will remain important to its overall business in India.
The October figures underline the difference between Honda’s domestic and export performance. While the Indian market recorded healthy growth, the fall in overseas shipments resulted in a decline in the company’s combined sales.