Auto stocks plunged up to 9% on Thursday, October 1, as investors focused on the subdued September 2026 monthly vehicle sales data. The Nifty Auto index fell 3.3% to 25,420.65 points, its lowest level since the previous close of 26,293.95 points, before recovering to around 25,601.65 points later in the session. Major names such as Bajaj Auto, Mahindra & Mahindra, Eicher Motors, Maruti Suzuki India, Bosch, TVS Motors and Tata Motors PV were among the biggest losers, dragging the sector index down.

Bajaj Auto’s two‑wheeler sales fell 12% YoY to 2,39,771 units in September 2026, compared with 2,73,188 units a year earlier, while its export volumes rose 34% to 2,11,723 units from 1,57,665 units. Commercial vehicle sales increased to 86,949 units from 79,651 units in September 2025. Mahindra & Mahindra reported overall sales of 1,14,874 vehicles, a 15% rise including exports, with SUV sales up 14% YoY to 64,092 units from 56,233 units. Exports fell 7% to 4,019 units from 4,320 units a year earlier.

Eicher Motors saw a 13% YoY rise in two‑wheeler sales under 350cc to 1,21,495 units from 1,07,478 units, while sales above 350cc declined 26% to 12,463 units from 16,850 units. Royal Enfield sales increased 17% to 12,632 units from 10,755 units. VE Commercial Vehicles’ total sales jumped 49.6% to 11,396 units from 7,619 units a year earlier. Maruti Suzuki’s total sales rose 24.43% to 2,36,013 units from 1,89,665 units, with domestic sales of 185,252 units, OEM sales of 6,542 units and exports of 44,219 units.

Tata Motors PV reported a 15% YoY increase in total sales to 70,210 units from 60,907 units in September 2025. Both domestic and international sales grew during the month. Shailesh Chandra, MD and CEO of Tata Motors PV, noted that passenger vehicle demand sustained strong momentum following GST, despite the quarter being seasonally softer. The company’s performance was highlighted amid the broader sector downturn.

The subdued sales data coincided with benchmark Brent crude oil prices trading around $99 per barrel, reflecting a nearly 40% surge in global energy prices over the last three months and a 5% rise in the past month. The combination of weaker auto sales and higher oil costs failed to enthuse investors, contributing to the sharp decline in auto sector stocks and the Nifty Auto index’s 3% fall.

NSE data showed the Nifty Auto index’s intraday low at 25,420.65 points, recovering to 25,601.65 points by morning market hours. The index’s decline was mirrored by individual stocks: Bajaj Auto fell 9% to ₹9,900, Bosch 4.3% to ₹45,055, Mahindra & Mahindra 3.6% to ₹2,843.70, Maruti Suzuki 3% to ₹11,600, Eicher Motors 4.5% to ₹6,840, TVS Motor Co. 3.4% to ₹3,966.20, Tata Motors PV 2.6% to ₹276, and Sona BLW 4.4% to ₹792.95. The 5‑day returns ranged from –8.8% for Bajaj Auto to –6.1% for Tata Motors PV, underscoring the sector’s broad sell‑off.