Mahindra Accounted For 55% Of Every Diesel Car Sold In India In FY2025

Mahindra stood out as the clear market leader in diesel passenger vehicles for FY2025. Despite a general decline in diesel’s share of the total passenger vehicle market dropping to around 18% Mahindra maintained a diesel heavy product lineup that resonated well with buyers. Diesel powered SUVs and utility vehicles from Mahindra accounted for over half of all diesel cars sold in the country

Key diesel models from Mahindra include the Scorpio, Thar, Bolero and XUV700 all of which have diesel variants that dominate their respective sales. In FY2025 Mahindra sold approximately 4,25,000 diesel SUVs alone making up about 77 % of its total SUV sales. This emphasis on diesel platforms is unique in an era where many manufacturers are scaling back diesel options

Highlights of Mahindra’s Diesel Strategy-

Robust Sales Numbers- Mahindra recorded total SUV sales of over 5,51,000 units in FY2025 with diesel models representing a significant majority

Fuel-Efficient Diesel Engines- The 2.2-liter mHawk diesel engine powers most of Mahindra’s diesel SUVs, known for its torque, efficiency and off road capability

Diesel Preference in Rural Market- Buyers in rural and semi urban areas prefer diesel for its mileage, towing capacity and ruggedness

Diesel in Higher Variants- Diesel variants with premium features such as automatic transmission and all-wheel drive also saw strong demand

Competitive Pricing- Diesel variants such as the Scorpio N started just under ₹14 lakh offering good value with features like terrain modes and LED lighting

Diesel Market Context in India FY2025

• Diesel cars accounted for 18% of total passenger vehicle sales in India reflecting a shift toward petrol, CNG, and electric vehicles
• Despite this decline, Mahindra’s diesel sales surged, mainly due to its SUV centric portfolio and focus on diesel powertrains
• The overall diesel passenger vehicle sales in India for FY2025 stood at approximately 7,36,508 units
• CNG vehicles overtook diesel for the first time in FY2025 signaling changes in buyer preferences and fuel infrastructure growth

Mahindra’s Diesel SUV Sales Breakdown FY2025-

• Majority of Mahindra’s diesel SUVs, such as Scorpio, Bolero, and Thar, have diesel variants that outsell petrol counterparts significantly
• Mahindra’s XUV 3XO is the only SUV where petrol outsells diesel, but diesel remains a strong contributor overall

The Future Outlook

Mahindra’s bet on diesel powertrains is a deliberate strategy that continues to pay off. Even as other automakers move away from diesel due to stringent emission norms and changing consumer trends, Mahindra’s investment in upgrading diesel engines and offering them across key models keeps it ahead in the diesel segment. The combination of torque, mileage and superior value sustains diesel demand in its core markets