Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles (TMPV) has announced the launch of the Altroz iCNG AMT, making it the first premium hatchback in India to pair an automated manual transmission (AMT) with a CNG powertrain at prices starting INR 869,000 (ex-showoom Delhi).

The Altroz iCNG continues to feature Tata's patented twin-cylinder technology, which places the CNG tanks under the luggage area to ensure uncompromised boot space – a traditional pain point for CNG vehicle owners.

The introduction of the AMT variant follows a significant surge in CNG adoption in India. According to Tata Motors, CNG penetration in the passenger vehicle market grew from 19 percent in FY2025 to 22 percent in FY2026.

The company is positioning the Altroz as the most versatile vehicle in its segment, offering petrol, diesel, electric (EV) and now both manual and automatic CNG options.

Vivek Srivatsa, Chief Commercial Officer, Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Ltd., said, “The Altroz has consistently set benchmarks in the premium hatchback segment through its strong focus on design, safety and powertrain choice. CNG is the fastest growing fuel choice in the country, with 19 percent penetration in FY2025 and 22 percent in FY2026 and this growth is no longer limited to traditional markets, with new regions contributing significantly to adoption. With the introduction of AMT in the iCNG line-up, we are addressing a clear and growing customer need for greater convenience in CNG vehicles. This addition makes Altroz the most versatile and premium offering in its segment delivering the right balance of efficiency, ease of driving and everyday practicality, without compromising on space or safety."

The Altroz iCNG with dual cylinders has a total capacity of 60 litres located below the load floor. It features a micro-switch to keep the car switched off during refuelling and advanced materials in the iCNG kit to prevent leaks. The Altroz iCNG can be started directly in CNG mode, eliminating the need to switch from petrol.

The 5-speed AMT is tuned specifically to manage the torque delivery of the CNG engine for smooth low-speed crawling in traffic.

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Nissan Motor India (NMIPL), one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has announced its sales performance for May 2026, recording a 118 percent YoY growth in domestic sales, albeit a low-year-ago base.

The company reported 2,948 units wholesales last month, which also marked its third consecutive month of YoY growth, signalling sustained sales momentum in the Indian market.

Interestingly, the company’s total sales for May 2026 came at 7,971 units, which includes 2,948 units in the domestic market and 5,023 units shipped to international markets during the month.

The company said its domestic sales trajectory was driven by customer interest across Nissan's updated India lineup, including the Gravite and Magnite SUVs. It is currently preparing for the upcoming World Premiere of the Nissan Tekton, which is part of Nissan's broader strategy to diversify its product portfolio and expand its network footprint across India.

Saurabh Vatsa, Managing Director, Nissan Motor India, said, “Our third consecutive month of year-on-year domestic sales growth is an encouraging reflection of the trust customers continue to place in Nissan. The response to the all-new Nissan Gravite, along with the continued strength of the Nissan Magnite, including the growing adoption of our CNG offerings, gives us confidence in our India strategy. As we gear up for the World Premiere of the Nissan Tekton, our focus remains on expanding our network footprint, enhancing accessibility, and delivering a stronger customer experience across the country.”

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Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has announced its wholesales of 59,790 units for May 2026 across its domestic and international operations.

This marks a 42 percent YoY growth compared to the 42,040 units delivered during the same month last year. The company's strong monthly performance was highlighted by significant growth in electric vehicle (EV) adoptions and an increase in official retail registrations.

According to VAHAN registration data, Tata Motors has further consolidated its position as the number two manufacturer in the Indian passenger vehicle market.

Last month, the company sold 59,090 units in the domestic market, as against 41,557 units a year ago. Exports came at 700 units, up 45 percent YoY, as compared to 483 units last year.

Interestingly, electric vehicle sales (domestic and export) at 10,517 units reached a record high, as compared to 5,685 units in May 2025.

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Kia India, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has recorded its highest-ever May wholesale volume since entering the market, delivering 27,586 units.

This represents a 23.6 percent YoY growth compared to the 22,315 units sold during the same month last year.

The sales volume was led by the Seltos SUV, which has maintained monthly wholesales above the 10,000-unit threshold since its launch in January. The SUV holds a 5-star Bharat NCAP safety rating. Furthermore, the Sonet C-SUV remained a contributor supported by expanded automatic transmission options across its petrol and diesel variants.

Additional sales momentum was driven by the newer iterations in the lineup, including the Carens Clavis, the all-electric Clavis EV, and the updated MY26 Syros. The Syros model saw an encouraging consumer response following revisions to its variant hierarchy and the broader availability of automatic gearboxes.

To lower entry barriers for its electric vehicles, Kia India has deployed a Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) procurement channel. This operational initiative alters ownership dynamics by separating the upfront vehicle acquisition cost from the battery asset.

At present, Kia India's sales and service operations are supported by a domestic retail footprint that includes 891 corporate touchpoints distributed across 402 cities. This network handles sales, maintenance, and ownership support in both urban and emerging regional markets. Furthermore, the company operates 130 Certified Pre-Owned vehicle outlets to manage trades, customer vehicle exchanges, and residual value transactions.

Atul Sood, Senior Vice-President of Sales & Marketing, Kia India, said, “Our highest-ever May sales performance reflects the strong alignment of our product portfolio with evolving customer preferences across segments. The continued strong demand for the new Seltos along with Sonet, coupled with the encouraging response to the Carens Clavis, Clavis EV and the MY26 Syros, has helped us sustain our growth momentum. At the same time, recent initiatives like our Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) program are playing an important role in making electric mobility more accessible and practical for customers. As we continue to strengthen our presence across the country, our focus remains on delivering innovative products, premium ownership experiences and technologies that are relevant to the evolving needs of Indian consumers.”

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Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM), one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has announced its wholesale sales of 33,128 units in May 2026, up 7 percent YoY, as compared to 30,864 units sold in May 2025.

The wholesales include 30,574 units in the domestic market, up 4 percent YoY, as compared to 29,280 units, while exports came at 2,554 units, up 61 percent YoY, as compared to 1,584 units a year ago.

Sabari Manohar, Executive Vice-President, Sales-Service-Used Car Business, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said, “Our sales performance in May 2026 reflects the positive market acceptance of Toyota’s offerings and overall ownership experience. The sustained demand across our product portfolio highlights a growing preference for quality, reliability and advanced technologies. This month marked a significant milestone as we crossed 300,000 Strong Hybrid Electric vehicle (SHEV) sales in India, underscoring the growing acceptance of SHEV technology and cleaner mobility solutions. This achievement further strengthens our commitment to advancing sustainable mobility through a multi-pathway approach. We will continue to focus on innovation that aligns with evolving customer needs while delivering long-term value and contributing meaningfully to India’s transition towards carbon neutrality.”

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