For the first time ever, Mahindra has been able to overtake MG Motors India in terms of electric cars sold in a month. According to the latest Vahan portal figures for mid-April 2026, the homegrown SUV giant, Mahindra, has finally claimed the second position, ending MG’s long-standing reign as the primary challenger to Tata Motors.
The 25 Units Gap Might Be Small, But The Feat Is Not!
As per the latest data from the Vahan Portal, we can see that Mahindra has recorded sales of 3,117 units, while MG is at 3,092. While the gap is just 25 units, the weight of this victory is enormous.
For the entire 2025–26 financial year, MG was the undisputed leader of the “best of the rest” category. They finished the year with roughly 53,000 sales, dwarfing Mahindra’s 42,000. However, the tide began to turn in March, and these mid-April numbers confirm that Mahindra’s rise wasn’t a fluke; it’s a trend.
How the Table Turned
MG’s dominance last year was built on a “mass-market” strategy. MG Motors India used strategies such as the Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) model to make the EVs, like the Windsor, affordable for buyers in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. This strategy was so successful that 70% of their sales came from outside the major metros.
Mahindra, however, chose a different path: The “Born Electric” SUV Blitz.
- Premium Appeal: Instead of fighting for the “budget” buyer, Mahindra launched the BE 6 and XEV 9e. These weren’t just converted petrol cars; they were high-tech, “born electric” machines.
- Batman Edition: We have seen that people in India love special-edition cars, and Mahindra knows it well, as it launched the limited Batman Edition for the BE6. This became an instant hit with the customers.
- The Launch of XEV 9S: We have also seen a growing demand for 7-seaters in India. Mahindra knew it was time for an electric 7-seater, which is why they launched the XEV 9S, catering to the customers’ requirements.
- Massive Growth: All this resulted in a 141% year-on-year growth for Mahindra in March 2026.
- New Audience: Perhaps most surprisingly, 80% of these buyers are new to the Mahindra brand, proving the company is now winning over the urban “techie” crowd.
A New Era of Competition
This overtake is part of a larger shake-up in the industry. Even the market leader, Tata Motors, has seen its market share drop from over 50% to roughly 39% as Mahindra and MG fight for every single registration.
Mahindra is currently capitalising on a massive production ramp-up, aiming to deliver nearly 8,000 EVs a month. On the other side, MG is preparing to fight back with a new Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) SUV expected by September, hoping that “choice” will help them reclaim the 2nd spot.
The Verdict
For now, the Vahan portal tells a new story. Mahindra has proven that a focus on high-end, purpose-built electric SUVs can beat out even the most creative pricing strategies. Whether they can hold this lead as the summer heat sets in remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: The era of Mahindra as an EV underdog is over.
