Market SHAKE-UP! Honda Dethrones Hero as India’s No. 1 Two-Wheeler Brand in Shocking Sales Drop!

A Tough Month for the Two-Wheeler Industry

The Indian two-wheeler market has hit a major speed bump, with retail sales taking a significant tumble in July 2025. In a dramatic turn of events that has shaken up the industry, Honda has overtaken its long-time rival Hero MotoCorp to claim the top spot as India’s best-selling two-wheeler brand. Overall sales figures paint a gloomy picture, showing a sharp decline compared to both last year and last month, indicating a tough road ahead for many manufacturers.

Brand SpotlightKey Highlights from July 2025 Sales
HondaNew No. 1 Brand with 3,45,802 units sold.
Hero MotoCorpSlips to 2nd place with 3,39,548 units.
TVS MotorShows strong growth, selling 2,69,677 units.
Bajaj AutoFaces a sharp sales decline.
Royal EnfieldContinues its impressive growth streak.
Ola ElectricSees a massive drop in sales.
Ather EnergyPosts healthy growth, closing the gap.

Honda Takes the Crown! Hero Slips to Second Place

In the biggest news of the month, Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) has clinched the coveted No. 1 position. Despite facing a slight year-on-year (YoY) dip itself, Honda managed to sell 3,45,802 units, narrowly beating its main competitor.

This pushes Hero MotoCorp to the second spot for the first time in a long while. The industry giant sold 3,39,548 units in July 2025, a significant drop from the 4,00,093 units it sold in the same month last year. This has resulted in a noticeable dip in its market share, from 27.60% down to 25.05%.

TVS and Royal Enfield Shine Bright Amidst the Gloom

While the top players struggled, TVS Motor Company emerged as a clear winner, posting strong retail sales growth. The company sold an impressive 2,69,677 units, a healthy increase from the 2,52,045 units sold in July 2024, boosting its market share significantly to 19.89%.

Another brand that continues to fire on all cylinders is Royal Enfield. The Chennai-based manufacturer saw a significant YoY growth, selling 67,561 units last month, up from 58,685 units a year ago. On the other hand, Bajaj Auto and India Yamaha Motor both witnessed a decline in their sales figures for July.

Mixed Fortunes in the EV Arena: Ather Surges, Ola Falters

The electric two-wheeler segment saw a major reshuffle as well. Ola Electric, which has dominated the EV charts, saw its retail sales plummet dramatically to just 17,852 units from a high of 41,802 units in July of last year.

Meanwhile, Ather Energy capitalized on this, with its new Rizta family scooter helping to boost its sales to 16,251 units, showing strong YoY growth. Other EV players like Ampere, PUREV, and River EV also reported a healthy improvement in their sales numbers, indicating a dynamic and competitive landscape in the electric scooter market.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Who is the new top-selling two-wheeler brand in India as of July 2025?

Honda has overtaken Hero MotoCorp to become the No. 1 two-wheeler brand in India based on July 2025 retail sales figures.

Did the overall two-wheeler market grow in July 2025?

No, the market saw a significant decline. Retail sales dropped by 6.48% compared to July 2024 and by 6.28% compared to the previous month, June 2025.

Which brands performed well despite the market slowdown?

TVS Motor Company, Royal Enfield, and Suzuki Motorcycle India all reported strong year-on-year growth in their retail sales.

How did the big electric scooter brands like Ola and Ather perform?

It was a mixed month for EVs. Ola Electric’s sales saw a sharp decline, while Ather Energy recorded significant growth, partly thanks to its new Rizta electric scooter.