December exports highlighted strong global demand for Made-in-India Nissan vehicles, especially the Nissan Magnite
India’s passenger vehicle segment closed December 2025 on a positive note, with strong year-end momentum, particularly in domestic markets. However, car exports fell sharply by 9.36% to 69,100 units, down from 76,239 units shipped in Dec 2024. This was a YoY decline of 7,139 units. Here, we assess exports and the cars that continued to hold their appeal globally, while several models ended the year in the red.
Among the many automakers in India, Maruti and Hyundai are two of the leading exporters in the four-wheeler segment, with the largest number of their products on this list. Exports showed a structural shift in preference toward utility vehicles in both the sub-4 meter and full-size SUV segments, while sedan exports also improved substantially.
Quick take (what’s driving the trend)
Total exports (top-40 models) fell 9.36% YoY in Dec 2025, down to 69,100 units. Maruti still leads with 36.8% share, but its exports dropped sharply YoY, largely because several high-volume models in the list (like Swift, Fronx, Baleno and others) were significantly lower than last year.
Hyundai posted strong growth and is now the clear No.2 exporter in this list, helped by higher shipments of models like Verna and the i10 family. Nissan was the biggest gainer among major OEMs, with a sharp jump driven mainly by Magnite exports, even as Sunny exports declined. Volkswagen saw the steepest drop YoY due to a big fall in Virtus and Taigun numbers, while Toyota and Kia stayed relatively steady with modest growth.
Car Exports Dec 2025
Nissan Magnite, in the sub-4 meter SUV segment, commanded the list with growing attention in global markets. Total exports grew by 260.62% to 9,268 units in Dec 2025, a YoY growth from 2,570 units to command a 13.41% share on this list. The Magnite, a part of the company’s “Make in India, Make for the World” philosophy, is exported to around 65 countries across the Africa, Middle East, Latin America, and Southeast Asia regions, where it is offered in both LHD and RHD configurations.
Exports of Hyundai Verna also grew substantially to 6,125 units, which was a 51.09% YoY growth over 4,054 units. The Toyota Hyryder compact SUV has also ended the year on a positive note with 5,164 units shipped globally, relating to an 11.25% YoY improvement.
Maruti Jimny saw its exports dip by 2.28% to 4,592 units YoY, while the Hyundai Grand i10 with 4,234 unit exports grew by 3.98% on a YoY basis. Nissan Sunny exports fell sharply by 39.87% to 4,202 units. Underlining its growing importance in export markets, Maruti Dzire showed off a hefty 518.62% YoY growth to 3,489 units in Dec 2025, up by 2,925 units from 564 units shipped in the same month last year.
Hyundai Aura too witnessed improved demand at 3,261 unit exports, a 34.59% YoY growth. The e-Vitara, a relatively new entrant to this list, added 2,724 units to total exports last month. Next in quick succession were 5 models from Maruti Suzuki. Swift (2,395 units), Fronx (2,390 units), SPresso (2,229 units), Baleno (2,199 units) and Celerio (2,029 units) each suffered double-digit de-growth. Ertiga sales, also from Maruti Suzuki, ended the month with flat growth at 1,705 units exported in Dec 2025.
Sub-1000 Unit Car Exports Dec 2025
Honda City (1,677 units), Kia Carens (1,001 units) and Mahindra XUV3XO (999 units) each displayed strong global demand with a significant rise in exports. Renault Kwid, on the other hand, suffered a 25.13% YoY decline to 989 units. Exports also declined for the Kia Sonet (966 units) and Maruti Grand Vitara (849 units), while 2025 Renault Kiger facelift was in higher demand at 149.50% growth to 751 units.
Maruti Eeco van suffered a 12.17% YoY decline to 693 units, there was the Hyundai i20 that has witnessed a 589.47% YoY growth to 655 units shipped last month from just 95 units exported in Dec 2024. Hyundai Exter saw exports up by 14.65% to 634 units while Triber (616 units) and Elevate (615 units) both saw YoY sales decline sharply. From Hyundai stables, while Creta saw a 32.38% YoY growth in exports to 511 units, the Alcazar (450 units) and Venue (416 units) suffered steep de-growth. Exports also dipped for Seltos (357 units) and Virtus (212 units) while Jeep Compass has been in strong demand with 165 units exported last month, demonstrating a 230% YoY growth. Car export list for Dec 2025 also included Citroen C3 (105 units), Taigun (103 units), Kushaq (84 units), Victoris (83 units) and Amaze (60 units). The list was trailed by the Brezza (53 units) and Scorpio (50 units).
| No | Car Exports | Dec-25 | Dec-24 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Magnite | 9,268 | 2,570 |
| 2 | Verna | 6,125 | 4,054 |
| 3 | Hyryder | 5,164 | 4,642 |
| 4 | Jimny | 4,592 | 4,699 |
| 5 | Grand i10 | 4,234 | 4,072 |
| 6 | Sunny | 4,202 | 6,988 |
| 7 | Dzire | 3,489 | 564 |
| 8 | Aura | 3,261 | 2,423 |
| 9 | e Vitara | 2,724 | 0 |
| 10 | Swift | 2,395 | 7,243 |
| 11 | Fronx | 2,390 | 8,373 |
| 12 | Spresso | 2,229 | 3,022 |
| 13 | Baleno | 2,199 | 4,089 |
| 14 | Celerio | 2,029 | 2,294 |
| 15 | Ertiga | 1,705 | 1,705 |
| 16 | City | 1,677 | 1,164 |
| 17 | Carens | 1,001 | 539 |
| 18 | XUV 3XO | 999 | 834 |
| 19 | Kwid | 989 | 1,321 |
| 20 | Sonet | 966 | 1,230 |
| 21 | Grand Vitara | 849 | 2,388 |
| 22 | Kiger | 751 | 301 |
| 23 | Eeco | 693 | 789 |
| 24 | i20 | 655 | 95 |
| 25 | Exter | 634 | 553 |
| 26 | Triber | 616 | 988 |
| 27 | Elevate | 615 | 2,693 |
| 28 | Creta | 511 | 386 |
| 29 | Alcazar | 450 | 858 |
| 30 | Venue | 416 | 429 |
| 31 | Seltos | 357 | 381 |
| 32 | Virtus | 212 | 2,489 |
| 33 | Compass | 165 | 50 |
| 34 | C3 | 105 | 0 |
| 35 | Taigun | 103 | 1,604 |
| 36 | Kushaq | 84 | 102 |
| 37 | Victoris | 83 | 0 |
| 38 | Amaze | 60 | 0 |
| 39 | Brezza | 53 | 85 |
| 40 | Scorpio | 50 | 222 |
| – | Total | 69,100 | 76,239 |
