In April, domestic passenger vehicle wholesales in India surged by 27% year-on-year, totaling around 450,000 units. This growth was largely attributed to strong consumer demand, bolstered by last year's Goods and Services Tax (GST) rate cuts and economic measures such as income tax relief and reduced interest rates by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL), the country's largest car manufacturer, reported record sales of 187,704 units, marking a 35.3% increase compared to the previous year. MSIL's Senior Executive Officer (Marketing and Sales), Partho Banerjee, emphasized that the industry's growth reflects robust demand rather than a low base effect. He noted that rural markets are becoming increasingly significant, with rural sales penetration rising to 52.3%. Other automakers also experienced growth, with Tata Motors reporting a 30.5% increase in sales, while Hyundai's sales rose by 17%. However, Banerjee cautioned that escalating fuel prices due to the ongoing conflict in West Asia could dampen demand for entry-level vehicles. Despite this, MSIL's exports grew by 43.5% year-on-year, indicating resilience in its international market strategy.