2025: Year of striking change in car purchase

Odisha’s automobile market went through a striking transformation in 2025, driven not just by rising luxury car purchases but by the surging popularity of premium and mid-range SUVs in the year that went.

From Bhubaneswar’s buzzing showrooms to growing demand in other key Odisha cities, the state witnessed a shift in consumer preferences that pushed four-wheeler registrations to 89,727 units, up from 80,323 in the previous year.What stood out was the way SUV culture reshaped the state’s buying patterns, turning Odisha into one of the most promising markets for carmakers targeting aspirational, feature-rich mobility.Across brands, SUVs continued to dominate the passenger vehicle segment. Families, young professionals and even rural consumers are attracted towards vehicles offering higher ground clearance, bigger cabin space and advanced comfort features — critical for long rides and highway drives.This consumer shift helped propel growth for every major carmaker operating in Odisha. Maruti Suzuki, the market leader, registered 33,458 units in 2025, up from 30,964 in 2024, an 8% growth.

Mahindra saw a sharp jump from 11,547 units in 2024 to 14,257 units in 2025. Similarly, Hyundai improved slightly with 12,059 units in 2025, compared to 11,608 the previous year, while Kia India also grew from 4,483 units to 5,483.Dealers say the trend is clear — customers are willing to stretch their budgets for more premium SUVs, even opting for automatic variants and advanced safety features that were once restricted to top-end cars.Kunal Behl, vice-president (marketing and sales) of Honda Cars, said, “Markets like Bhubaneswar continue to play an important role in the company’s growth journey. The growth is supported by a strong customer base and growing demand for premium mobility solutions. The sale of cars in Odisha, and Bhubaneswar in particular, is truly promising.”Industry observers point to several key factors, including growing disposable income among young professionals in IT, education, mining and the service sector, as well as a steady rise in nuclear families, prioritising comfort, safety and long-distance capability.“Improved highways and urban connectivity make SUVs more practical. There is a clear shift in aspiration, where buyers seek premium features at competitive price points,” said Aditya Jena, an automotive researcher and a car enthusiast.