The export volumes of made-in-India motorcycles and scooters have been on an upward trajectory with each passing year post the COVID-19 pandemic
The Indian two-wheeler industry registered all-time high export volumes of 4.3 million units in CY 2025. The biggest shipment of made-in-India motorcycles was exported to global markets last year. It had a YoY growth of 27 percent while climbing to the highest-ever annual volumes, with an increase of around 40 percent as compared to the 2019 pre-pandemic peak. Bajaj Auto and TVS Motor Company lead the overall export charts, as the duo accounted for nearly 72 percent of the total motorcycles shipped out of India.
“A combination of India’s competitive manufacturing capabilities and a well-established global distribution network has enabled the country’s motorcycle exports to maintain strong growth momentum. Latin America was a standout contributor, led by Colombia and Brazil, while Africa remained a significant market, with Nigeria being a key destination. Improved foreign currency availability in key markets such as Latin America and Africa also supported export growth. Besides, Asian markets, including Nepal and the Philippines, provided a further boost,” said Poonam Upadhyay, director, Crisil Ratings.
Bajaj exported close to 1.9 million units in 2025, which increased from 1.6 million units in 2024. On the other hand, TVS shipped 1.3 million made-in-India models to various global markets as compared to around 0.9 million units in 2024. Bajaj Boxer was the most exported bike from India in CY 2025, followed by the TVS Star City.
Looking at the pre-pandemic data between 2017 and 2019, the two-wheeler exports were surging gradually as they rose from 2.3 million in 2017 to 3.1 million units in 2019. However, the COVID-19 pandemic hit the industry in 2020, and the global trade was severely disrupted. Due to the production being suspended in most months of 2020, exports dipped but bounced back quickly in 2021 by surpassing pre-pandemic levels.
Several emerging markets in Latin America, such as Colombia and Brazil, reported healthy demand for made-in-India motorcycles and scooters. Further, Nigeria in the African continent was also a key player in this resounding success. Several other Asian markets, such as the Philippines and Nepal, among others, also provided a massive boost in the export numbers.
Besides Bajaj and TVS, multiple other two-wheeler brands, such as Hero MotoCorp, Honda 2-Wheelers India, Royal Enfield, Suzuki Motorcycle India, and Yamaha India, posted decent export volumes in CY 2025. With several new brands entering the fray, such as Ultraviolette Automotive and Ather Energy, the export volumes are likely to increase further in CY 2026.
