Toyota Kirloskar Motor has begun 2026 with significant momentum, achieving total sales of 33,880 units in January—a solid 15% increase over the previous year. This growth was primarily driven by a strong 17% rise in domestic sales, which reached 30,630 units, while exports saw a modest 2% growth, contributing 3,250 units.
Executive Vice President Sabari Manohar highlighted this positive start to the year, linking it to the strategic launch of the All-Electric URBAN CRUISER EBELLA. This new electric SUV, built on a dedicated platform and offering two battery size options, is clearly aimed at enhancing sustainable mobility and actively supports Toyota’s broader commitment to achieving carbon neutrality.
A Look at the January 2026 Sales Data
From my experience analyzing automotive trends, the year’s first month often signals underlying market strength or strategic shifts. The data from Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) for January 2026 is a compelling case study. The company’s performance is best understood by breaking down its total sales, which includes both Domestic sales and exports.
TKM reported moving 33,880 units in total for the month. To put that in perspective, this figure represents a solid Year-on-Year (Y-o-Y) growth of 15 percent when compared to the 29,371 units sold in January 2025. This overall growth was primarily fueled by exceptional domestic performance. TKM domestic sales for January 2026 stood at an impressive 30,630 units, reflecting a strong Y-o-Y growth of 17 percent.
This means they significantly outsold the 26,178 units sold in the domestic market in January 2025. While the domestic engine roared, the Exports volume showed steady, incremental progress. For January 2026, exports stood at 3,250 units, which still reflecting a Y-o-Y growth of 2 percent when comapred to the 3,193 units shipped in January 2025. This bifurcation between a booming home market and stable international shipments is a classic pattern I’ve observed in well-established automakers, highlighting where their current strategic focus yields the highest returns.
Also Read: With 3,715 Units Sold, Renault India Starts 2026 With Strong 33.6% Growth
The Strategic Vision Behind Toyota’s New Era
As someone who tracks how corporate messaging aligns with product strategy, Sabari Manohar, Executive Vice President of Sales-Service-Used Car Business at Toyota Kirloskar Motor, recently outlined a clear vision. He noted that the year 2026 started on a positive and encouraging note, powered by the continued momentum of our product portfolio and, crucially, customers trust in our commitment to quality, safety and sustainability.
The tangible proof of this commitment was the key highlight during January, which was the launch of the All-Electric URBAN CRUISER EBELLA. This move is further strengthening our focus on delivering future-ready mobility solutions that are aligned with evolving customer expectations.
Diving into the specifics, this launch marks a significant step in enhancing our value proposition. Toyota has recently launched the Urban Cruiser Ebella electric SUV in India, a move that’s about much more than just a new car; it’s marking the brand’s entry into the electric passenger vehicle segment. Around the world, the model is called the Urban Cruiser BEV.
Technically, what makes it stand out is that it is built on a dedicated electric platform. This foundational choice means it will be offered with different battery and motor options. The SUV houses a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack, which is available in two sizes: 49 kWh and 61 kWh. These produce power outputs of 142.1 bhp and 171.6 bhp, and also deliver a peak torque of 189 Nm.
For me, this technical rollout perfectly reinforces our continued support to India’s transition towards carbon neutrality, greener and sustainable mobility. It’s a textbook example of building a serious value proposition not just on promises, but on a solid, flexible platform designed for the future.
