At 4.3mn, motorcycle exports hit fresh high, local sales yet to break past record

CHENNAI: Calendar year 2025 proved a strong year for India-built motorcycles, with exports reaching their highest-ever annual volume, up 27% from 2024 shipments. Total motorcycle exports touched a fresh post-pandemic peak in 2025, rising to 4.3 million units, even as domestic volumes remained below their earlier highs.

"A combination of India's competitive manufacturing capabilities and a well-established global distribution network has enabled the country's motorcycle exports to maintain strong growth momentum," said Poonam Upadhyay, director, Crisil Ratings. In the pre-pandemic phase (2017-2019), motorcycle exports were on a gradual upward trajectory, rising from 2.3 million units in 2017 to 3.1 million units in 2019, which marked the earlier peak before Covid disrupted global trade in 2020.

While exports dipped briefly during the first pandemic year, they rebounded strongly thereafter, with 2021 already surpassing pre-pandemic levels. Despite some volatility in the intervening years, exports climbed to 4.3 million units in 2025, the highest level in the series.

This marks an increase of nearly 40% over the 2019 pre-pandemic peak.

Stronger penetration into overseas markets and a widening export basket by leading players such as Bajaj Auto and TVS Motor were among the key factors driving the rise in motorcycle exports from India.

"The robust export performance was fuelled by healthy demand from multiple emerging markets. Latin America was a standout contributor, led by Colombia and Brazil, while Africa remained a significant market, with Nigeria being a key destination.

Improved foreign currency availability in key markets such as Latin America and Africa also supported export growth. Besides, Asian markets, including Nepal and the Philippines, provided a further boost," Upadhyay said. In 2025, Bajaj Auto (43%) and TVS Motor (29%) together accounted for about 72% of total motorcycle exports. Bajaj's motorcycle exports grew from 1.6 million units in 2024 to 1.9 million units in 2025, while TVS Motor's shipments rose from 0.9 million units to 1.3 million units.