India’s export story just got a lot louder
When I look at India’s two-wheeler export numbers for FY2026, the first thing that stands out is how firmly the country has become a global supplier for commuter motorcycles and scooters. The second is that some familiar names are winning in markets far beyond India, while a few unexpected models are still finding serious demand overseas.
The total export tally reached 51,80,395 units in FY2026, up 23.44% from 41,96,605 units in FY2026. That kind of growth is not just a good headline for the industry; it tells me demand is rising across Africa, Latin America, South Asia and other emerging regions where value, durability and low running costs matter most.
Bajaj and TVS still own the export game
From my perspective, Bajaj Auto remains the anchor of India’s export machine. It shipped 18.80 lakh units and held a 36.29% share, proving once again that its commuter-focused lineup is built for tough, price-sensitive markets. TVS Motor, though, deserves as much applause because it was the biggest volume gainer among major OEMs, adding 3.41 lakh units year-on-year to touch 14.13 lakh exports with 31.81% growth.
Together, Bajaj and TVS accounted for 63.57% of India’s total two-wheeler exports. That is a massive share, and it tells me these two brands are not just exporting products, they are exporting a formula that works in real-world conditions abroad.
| OEM | FY2026 Exports | YoY Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Bajaj Auto | 18.80 lakh | 36.29% |
| TVS Motor | 14.13 lakh | 31.81% |
| Honda | 6.20 lakh | 23.16% |
| Hero MotoCorp | 4.03 lakh | 39.19% |
| Royal Enfield | 1.31 lakh | 22.58% |
Honda Navi turns into the surprise export hero
One of the most interesting names in the entire export report is Honda Navi. Even though it was discontinued in India years ago, it still managed to ship 1,72,790 units in FY2026, rising 20.34% year-on-year. I find that fascinating because it shows how a product can have a completely different life cycle overseas, even after its domestic run has ended.
Honda as a brand ranked third overall with 6.20 lakh units, growing 23.16%. Other strong contributors included Dio at 1,36,960 units, Shine 125 at 55,899 units, Hornet 2.0 at 38,509 units and Dio 125 at 36,335 units. For me, that is a sign that Honda’s export strength is spread across scooters and motorcycles rather than depending on one single nameplate.
TVS and Hero are building serious momentum
TVS had a standout year across multiple export models. Star City 125 emerged as India’s highest exported two-wheeler in FY2026 with 7,20,258 units, which is a remarkable 41.38% jump over FY2026. Star City 110 followed with 1,96,522 units, while Sport climbed to 1,48,799 units and Apache rose to 1,32,880 units.
What I noticed here is that TVS is not relying on a single product. Ntorq crossed 97,000 units, and XL also posted impressive growth of 149.07% to 20,982 units. That kind of spread gives the brand a much stronger export base.
Hero MotoCorp also posted a strong performance, with exports rising 39.19% to 4.03 lakh units. HF Deluxe increased 57.68% to 96,047 units, Xtreme 125R more than doubled to 76,530 units, and Xoom 125 surged an eye-catching 459.30% to 46,545 units. I see this as a sign that Hero is expanding beyond its core commuter identity and reaching more varied overseas buyers.
Premium motorcycles and EVs are growing, but still niche
The premium export space is healthy, though still much smaller than the mass commuter segment. Royal Enfield grew 22.58% to 1.31 lakh units, helped by Classic, Himalayan and 650cc models. Classic 350 crossed 27,915 units, Himalayan reached 25,963 units, and Guerrilla 450 recorded 11,296 units, which is a promising start for a newer model.
KTM was the fastest-growing established OEM in this space, with exports jumping 262.75% to 32,212 units. That pace tells me there is still room for performance-focused motorcycles in international markets when the pricing and brand appeal are right.
On the other hand, Triumph, Aprilia, BMW and Husqvarna saw declines, which suggests premium demand is more uneven than the mainstream export market. Honda’s H’ness 350 and CB350 also grew strongly, reinforcing the idea that heritage-styled mid-capacity motorcycles are finding a stable niche abroad.
Electric exports are still small, but the trend is clearly moving up
EV exports are tiny compared with ICE motorcycles, but the direction is encouraging. TVS iQube exported 3,860 units, Ather shipped 2,383 units of the 450X and 461 units of the Rizta, while Bajaj Chetak jumped from just 125 units in FY2026 to 1,904 units in FY2026.
To me, this is the early stage of a much bigger shift. Electric two-wheelers are not yet carrying the export story, but the numbers show that Indian brands are testing demand, refining products and slowly building confidence in overseas markets.
Why these export numbers matter to me
What makes this FY2026 report so compelling is not just the growth rate, but the shape of the growth. India’s export strength is still rooted in practical motorcycles and scooters, especially those that survive rough roads, heat and long daily use in real markets. That is exactly why models like Boxer, Star City, Pulsar, Gixxer and Shine continue to matter so much.
At the same time, the rise of models like Honda Navi, TVS Apache, Hero Xoom 125 and KTM 390 exports shows that India is no longer only a commuter-export story. It is also becoming a player in style, performance and value-led premium mobility.
If you follow India’s motorcycle industry closely, this is the kind of export momentum worth watching all year. I’d keep an eye on how Bajaj and TVS defend their lead, how Hero scales its newer models, and whether EV exports can finally move from curiosity to meaningful volume in the next cycle.
If you like tracking the real winners behind India’s auto industry, keep this one on your radar and stay tuned for the next export update. The numbers are moving fast, and the brands that adapt quickest will be the ones that keep winning abroad.
