SIAM data reveals passenger vehicle dispatches to dealers rose 12.6% to 449,616 units, surpassing the 399,386 units sold in the same month last year. This momentum carried over to two-wheelers, which skyrocketed 26.2% to 1,925,603 units from 1,526,218 units.

Scooters emerged as the star performer, with sales exploding 36.9% to 750,580 units. Motorcycles grew steadily at 20.3% to 1,126,416 units, and mopeds added a 16.1% gain to 48,607 units. The three-wheeler category mirrored this enthusiasm, up 30.2% to 75,725 units overall.

Breaking it down, passenger-carrying three-wheelers increased 30.4% to 60,881 units, goods carriers jumped 33.4% to 13,374 units, but electric rickshaws saw a slight 7.9% decline to 925 units.

Combined sales across major categories hit 2,927,394 units, the highest January total on record. ‘This double-digit growth across segments reflects unwavering consumer appetite,’ said SIAM’s Rajesh Menon. He credited the continuity of strong quarterly trends, GST relief, and proactive government measures in the recent budget.

Looking forward, Menon is optimistic about policy-driven expansions strengthening India’s auto manufacturing prowess, ensuring the sector’s growth trajectory remains upward-bound through 2026 and beyond.

Speaking at a Delhi conclave, Chandra painted a vivid picture of data proliferation. Electric vehicles and even legacy ICE models now channel vast personal insights—from dashcam footage to synced smartphone contacts—across sprawling ecosystems. ‘This flood of customer data demands our utmost professional vigilance,’ he warned.

Chandra laid out a blueprint for ethical data practices, starting with unwavering transparency and consent. ‘Tell customers exactly what data you’re harvesting and how you’ll wield it,’ he instructed. Next, classify data meticulously to prioritize sensitivities. Finally, master data lifecycle management: secure long-term storage for essentials while swiftly discarding the rest.

True implementation, he stressed, requires ‘designing systems with privacy by default.’ OEMs must classify data upfront, fortifying architectures against vulnerabilities from day one.

This clarion call arrives as India’s auto market hits record highs. Per SIAM figures, November sales dazzled: passenger vehicles up nearly 20% at 412,405 units; three-wheelers rose 21.3% to 71,999; two-wheelers climbed 21.2% to 1.94 million units compared to the prior year.

With policy tailwinds and buoyant consumer confidence, projections hold for momentum into 2026. Chandra’s principles offer a roadmap, reminding innovators that in the connected auto future, trust is the ultimate currency. Breaches could derail even the fastest growth trajectories.