EV market shift: Chinese-backed brands grab one-third share; Tata-Mahindra retain lead

Chinese-owned automakers are emerging as major players in India’s electric passenger vehicle segment, challenging long-time leaders Tata Motors and Mahindra & Mahindra. In under two years, brands such as BYD, MG Motor and Volvo — all backed by Chinese companies — have overtaken several Korean and German rivals and now account for nearly a third of India’s EV market. As per ET, these companies have attracted buyers with advanced technology, better range and stronger reliability.Their rise comes at a time when more Chinese EV makers, including Xpeng, Great Wall and Haima, are studying the Indian market. These efforts could benefit from the slight improvement in India-China ties after nearly five years of strain. Industry experts cited by ET said that Chinese-linked firms have broadened consumer choice and brought faster upgrades in battery tech, premium features and model turnover.MG Motor was the first to build scale in India, offering feature-rich, mass-market EVs at competitive pricing. “Our growth momentum in India is driven by exceptional customer-centric innovations and a deep understanding of local market needs,” Vinay Raina, chief commercial officer at JSW MG Motor India, said, as per ET. He stressed that localisation remains central to staying competitive.BYD, among the world’s largest EV manufacturers, expanded steadily by tapping commercial and fleet demand. Volvo Cars — Swedish in brand identity but owned by China’s Geely — has also secured a consistent presence in the premium segment. “Our growth in India is driven by a strong and loyal customer base and our accelerated focus on electrification,” Jyoti Malhotra, MD of Volvo Car India said, adding that the company plans to introduce one new EV annually and now assembles all its models locally.According to data from Jato Dynamics cited by ET, Chinese-origin brands did not sell a single battery electric vehicle in India in 2019. By October this year, they had supplied 57,260 EVs, capturing 33% of the market. Indian-owned companies, however, continue to lead overall, with BEV sales rising to 1,01,724 units this year until October, compared with 74,442 in 2024. Jato Dynamics president Ravi Bhatia was quoted by ET as saying that localisation, affordability, wider reach and alignment with schemes such as FAME-II and PLI have helped domestic firms maintain their lead.