Ahmedabad: A sharp 52% surge in vehicle sales on Dussehra failed to offset a sluggish festive season in Gujarat, with combined Navratri-Dussehra retail sales declining 8.2% in 2026 compared with the previous year. Dealers attributed the fall to weak market sentiment, poor monsoon and higher interest rates, while supply constraints continued to limit passenger vehicle deliveries.According to data from the Union ministry of road transport and highways, Gujarat recorded retail sales of 1.2 lakh two-wheelers and four-wheelers during the festival period, down from 1.3 lakh in 2025. Two-wheeler sales fell 7.4% to 95,599 units, while four-wheeler sales dropped 11% to 25,174 units.Dussehra day, however, brought a sharp rebound, with sales rising 52.3% to 13,178 vehicles from 8,653 a year earlier. Two-wheeler sales increased 50.5% to 10,058 units, while four-wheeler sales jumped 58.5% to 3,120 units.Pranav Shah, national chairperson of the two-wheeler vertical at the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA), said dealers had fallen short of their growth expectations.“Dealers had recorded lower sales than expected. The market had not delivered the double-digit growth they had anticipated. Weak overall sentiment, rainfall, volatility in the stock market and higher interest rates had weighed on demand,” he said.Ahmedabad district mirrored the statewide trend, with combined retail sales across Ahmedabad City, Ahmedabad East and Ahmedabad Rural falling 8.9% to 21,428 vehicles from 23,525 in 2025. Two-wheeler sales declined 11.3% to 16,411 units, while four-wheeler sales remained almost flat at 5,017 units.
Dussehra vehicle sales in Gujarat 2026
Dealers said customers were spreading out vehicle deliveries rather than reserving them for the main festival day. “Demand for newer models remained strong. CNG vehicles, electric vehicles and hybrids were drawing interest, while the preference for SUVs, particularly compact SUVs, continued,” said Surendra Sharma, a city-based car dealer.Manufacturers such as Maruti Suzuki, Mahindra and Tata Motors continued to attract buyers with multiple powertrain options. However, supply constraints remained a concern.“Booking pipelines remained healthy, but vehicle availability was limiting deliveries. We, however, expect the festive season to remain strong in terms of demand,” said Jigar Vyas, CEO of a city-based dealership.
