India’s two-wheeler market delivered a strong performance in August 2026, with total retail registrations reaching 17,14,610 units. This was significantly higher than the 14,32,537 units registered in August 2025, representing a year-on-year growth of around 19.7%.
The latest numbers show that demand for motorcycles and scooters remained strong despite a month-on-month decline from July. More importantly, the competitive picture among the leading manufacturers is becoming increasingly interesting.
Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India retained the top position with a 26.09% market share, while Hero MotoCorp followed with 24.15%. TVS Motor Company continued its strong momentum and reached a 20.63% share. Together, Honda, Hero and TVS accounted for more than 70% of India’s two-wheeler retail market in August.
August 2026 Two-Wheeler Market at a Glance
| Two-Wheeler OEM | Aug 2026 Sales | Market Share | Aug 2025 Sales | Market Share | YoY Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honda | 4,47,342 | 26.09% | 3,72,867 | 26.03% | 19.97% |
| Hero MotoCorp | 4,13,996 | 24.15% | 3,49,039 | 24.37% | 18.61% |
| TVS Motor | 3,53,746 | 20.63% | 2,82,347 | 19.71% | 25.29% |
| Bajaj Auto | 1,57,149 | 9.17% | 1,36,335 | 9.52% | 15.27% |
| Suzuki | 1,04,217 | 6.08% | 96,184 | 6.71% | 8.35% |
| Royal Enfield | 94,448 | 5.51% | 76,505 | 5.34% | 23.45% |
| Yamaha | 62,375 | 3.64% | 55,172 | 3.85% | 13.42% |
| Ather Energy | 28,757 | 1.68% | 19,210 | 1.34% | 49.70% |
| Ola Electric | 13,852 | 0.81% | 19,464 | 1.36% | -28.83% |
| Greaves Electric Mobility | 8,613 | 0.50% | 4,567 | 0.32% | 88.60% |
| River Mobility | 5,141 | 0.30% | 1,903 | 0.13% | 170.15% |
| BGauss | 4,845 | 0.28% | 1,729 | 0.12% | 180.16% |
| Classic Legends | 4,256 | 0.25% | 2,649 | 0.18% | 60.66% |
| Piaggio | 3,595 | 0.21% | 2,900 | 0.20% | 23.97% |
| Others Including EV | 12,278 | 0.72% | 11,666 | 0.81% | 5.25% |
| Total | 17,14,610 | 100% | 14,32,537 | 100% | 19.69% |
YoY growth calculated from the supplied August 2026 and August 2025 figures.
Honda Remains India’s No. 1 Two-Wheeler Brand
Honda continued to dominate India’s two-wheeler retail market in August.
The company recorded 4,47,342 units, compared with 3,72,867 units in August 2025. That translates to almost 20% year-on-year growth.
Honda’s market share stood at 26.09%, marginally higher than its 26.03% share a year earlier.
However, Honda’s lead over Hero is not enormous. The difference between the two manufacturers was only around 33,346 units in August.
That means the competition at the top remains intense, particularly as the festive season approaches.
Hero MotoCorp Holds Second Position
Hero MotoCorp finished August 2026 in second place with 4,13,996 units.
The company grew 18.61% compared with 3,49,039 units in August 2025. Its market share, however, slipped slightly from 24.37% to 24.15%.
Hero’s performance continues to be heavily connected with India’s motorcycle market, where models from the Splendor, Passion and Super Splendor family remain important volume drivers.
At the same time, Hero is also seeing growth in its electric scooter business through VIDA. Recent industry data indicates that Hero’s overall August growth was more modest than TVS and Bajaj when exports are included.
TVS Motor Is the Big Winner Among Major Players
One of the biggest stories from the August 2026 two-wheeler sales report is TVS Motor Company’s strong growth.
TVS registered 3,53,746 units in the retail market, compared with 2,82,347 units a year ago.
That represents a healthy 25.29% YoY growth, the strongest growth among the three biggest players.
Its market share also increased from 19.71% to 20.63%.
TVS has been benefiting from strong demand across motorcycles, scooters and electric two-wheelers. Its broader company sales data also shows particularly strong EV and export growth. TVS reported 59,453 electric two-wheelers in August 2026, up 137% year-on-year.
So, while the retail market places Honda first, TVS is arguably the manufacturer showing some of the strongest momentum right now.
Bajaj Auto Crosses 1.57 Lakh Units
Bajaj Auto recorded 1,57,149 units in August 2026.
Compared with 1,36,335 units in August 2025, the company registered 15.27% YoY growth.
However, Bajaj’s market share declined from 9.52% to 9.17%.
The company remains one of India’s biggest motorcycle manufacturers, with the Pulsar range continuing to play a major role in its domestic portfolio.
Bajaj is also benefiting from international demand. Recent industry analysis highlighted exports as an important growth driver for the company.
Suzuki and Royal Enfield Show Different Stories
Suzuki Motorcycle India registered 1,04,217 units in August 2026.
The company grew 8.35% YoY, but its market share fell from 6.71% to 6.08%.
Royal Enfield, meanwhile, delivered a stronger performance.
The company recorded 94,448 units, up from 76,505 units a year earlier. That represents a 23.45% YoY increase.
Interestingly, Royal Enfield’s market share also increased from 5.34% to 5.51%.
This indicates that demand for premium and lifestyle motorcycles remained healthy during the month.
Yamaha Remains Stable
India Yamaha Motor recorded 62,375 units in August 2026.
Sales increased from 55,172 units in August 2025, giving the company approximately 13.42% YoY growth.
Despite this increase, Yamaha’s market share declined from 3.85% to 3.64% because the overall two-wheeler market grew faster.
Ather Becomes a Key EV Player
Among the electric-focused manufacturers, Ather Energy delivered one of the most notable performances.
Ather recorded 28,757 units in August 2026, compared with 19,210 units in August 2025.
That is a massive 49.7% YoY increase.
Its market share also improved from 1.34% to 1.68%.
The performance comes at a time when electric two-wheelers are becoming an increasingly important part of India’s overall two-wheeler market.
According to FADA-based data reported by Autocar India, electric two-wheelers accounted for 10.68% of total two-wheeler retail sales in August, compared with 7.66% a year earlier.
Ola Electric Faces Pressure
Ola Electric moved in the opposite direction.
The company registered 13,852 units in August 2026, compared with 19,464 units during the same month last year.
That represents a decline of approximately 28.8%.
Its market share consequently dropped from 1.36% to just 0.81%.
The contrast between Ather and Ola is particularly interesting because both operate primarily in India’s electric scooter market.
While the overall EV two-wheeler segment is expanding, individual manufacturers are experiencing very different sales trends.
Smaller EV Manufacturers Record Strong Growth
The August numbers also reveal impressive percentage growth among some smaller electric two-wheeler manufacturers.
Greaves Electric Mobility registered 8,613 units, up from 4,567 units a year earlier.
River Mobility increased from 1,903 to 5,141 units.
Meanwhile, BGauss climbed from 1,729 to 4,845 units.
Although their absolute volumes remain much smaller than Honda, Hero or TVS, these numbers show that India’s electric two-wheeler market is becoming more competitive.
Total Two-Wheeler Market Grows Nearly 20%
The most important takeaway from the August 2026 numbers is the overall market growth.
India recorded 17,14,610 two-wheeler retail registrations, compared with 14,32,537 units in August 2025.
That means the industry added more than 2.82 lakh units over the previous year’s August.
However, August was weaker than July on a month-on-month basis.
According to FADA-based reporting, July 2026 had around 18.18 lakh two-wheeler retail registrations, meaning August declined by roughly 5.7% sequentially.
Therefore, the August story is best described as strong YoY growth but a normal MoM correction.
Rural India Continues to Be Important
Rural demand is another important factor behind the two-wheeler market’s performance.
FADA-based data reported by Autocar India showed rural two-wheeler retail growth of 20.25% YoY in August, slightly ahead of the 19.07% growth in urban markets.
That is significant because motorcycles and scooters remain essential forms of personal mobility across smaller towns and rural regions.
As the festive season gets closer, rural cash flows, monsoon conditions and consumer sentiment could therefore have a major influence on September sales.
What Does August 2026 Tell Us About India’s Two-Wheeler Market?
The August numbers reveal several important trends.
First, Honda remains the market leader, but the gap with Hero is relatively small.
Second, TVS is gaining momentum rapidly. Its 20.63% retail market share is particularly notable because the company has increased its share from 19.71% last year.
Third, the electric two-wheeler market is expanding. EVs crossed the 10% penetration mark in August, according to FADA-based reporting.
Finally, the festive season could make the competition even more interesting.
Manufacturers will be looking to capitalize on higher consumer spending, new launches, promotional schemes and increasing demand from both urban and rural markets.
September Could Be Even More Important
August was already a strong month, but September could provide an even clearer picture of India’s two-wheeler demand.
The festive period is approaching, and manufacturers typically prepare their inventories well in advance.
FADA-based reporting indicates that dealer sentiment for September remains positive, with 67.09% of dealers expecting growth. For the September-November period, more than 81% of dealers reportedly expect the market to grow.
If those expectations materialize, the competition between Honda, Hero and TVS could become even tighter.
At the same time, EV manufacturers will be closely watched. Ather’s growth and Ola’s decline demonstrate that the electric scooter market is no longer simply about overall EV growth. Brand-level competition is becoming increasingly important.
Gaadi Xpert Verdict
August 2026 was a strong month for India’s two-wheeler industry.
Honda continued to lead the retail market with 4.47 lakh units and a 26.09% share, while Hero remained close behind with 4.14 lakh units.
However, the real momentum story belongs to TVS Motor, which grew faster than the two leaders and increased its market share to 20.63%.
Meanwhile, Royal Enfield maintained strong growth, Ather expanded rapidly, and the wider electric two-wheeler segment crossed the 10% mark.
With the festive season approaching, September and October could be crucial months for determining whether this growth momentum continues.
August 2026 Two-Wheeler Market Scorecard
- Total Sales: 17,14,610 units
- YoY Growth: 19.69%
- Market Leader: Honda
- Highest Share: Honda – 26.09%
- Fastest Major OEM Growth: TVS – 25.29%
- Strong Premium Growth: Royal Enfield – 23.45%
- EV Highlight: Ather – 49.70% YoY growth
- Biggest Concern: Ola Electric – 28.83% decline
- EV Market Penetration: 10.68%
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