India’s two-wheeler market continued its upward trajectory in May 2026, recording approximately 1.84 million vehicle registrations, a 7.3% increase compared to 1.71 million units in May 2025, according to the latest data released by JATO Dynamics.
Despite a month-on-month decline of 6.6% from April’s 1.97 million registrations, industry analysts described the slowdown as seasonal, noting that overall demand remains stable across urban and rural markets.
Commenting on the performance, Ravi Bhatia, President of JATO Dynamics India, said the sector’s growth reflects a strong structural recovery, with rural markets expanding by nearly 20% year-on-year. He noted that improving affordability, sustained commuter demand, and wider rural penetration continue to support the segment.
Hero MotoCorp maintained its leadership position with a 28.5% market share and registrations exceeding 517,000 units. Honda followed with a 24.8% share and 9.3% annual growth, while TVS Motor strengthened its standing with a 19.6% share and double-digit growth of around 11%.
At the model level, the Hero Splendor Plus remained India’s best-selling two-wheeler, registering about 323,000 units. Honda’s Activa secured second place with approximately 206,000 registrations, underscoring the scooter segment’s popularity. TVS Jupiter and Bajaj Pulsar also posted strong performances with around 119,000 and 113,000 units respectively.
Motorcycles continued to dominate the market, accounting for 59.4% of total registrations. Scooters represented 30.2%, while electric scooters captured an 8.8% share, highlighting the gradual but steady rise of electric mobility in the country.
Geographically, Delhi emerged as the largest two-wheeler market in May with around 46,200 registrations, followed by Bengaluru (41,700) and Hyderabad (33,000). Chennai and Pune also reported robust sales volumes.
Among states, Uttar Pradesh led the rankings with approximately 314,000 registrations, ahead of Maharashtra (182,000) and Tamil Nadu (142,000). Rural regions contributed nearly 486,000 units and recorded the fastest growth rate at 19.7% year-on-year, significantly outpacing metro markets, which grew by 6.1%.
With inventory levels remaining stable at 37–40 days, JATO expects the Indian two-wheeler industry to maintain steady growth momentum over the coming year. Analysts believe that manufacturers with strong rural distribution networks and credible electric vehicle offerings will be best positioned to capitalize on future demand.
Overall, the outlook for India’s two-wheeler sector remains positive, supported by expanding rural demand, resilient urban consumption, and increasing affordability.
