India's automobile exports reached 2.52 million units in the first six months of the current fiscal year (April to September), representing a rise of 14 percent compared to the same period in 2023, an industry body said. 

According to the latest report by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (Siam), this growth was primarily driven by the exports of passenger vehicles and two wheelers. 

"Key markets like Latin America and Africa, which had slowed down for various reasons, have bounced back. This has been the main reason for exports coming back," said Shailesh Chandra, president of Siam, Business Standard reported. 

In the last financial year, several African nations had faced challenges due to devaluation of currencies, which directly impacted incoming shipments of vehicles in these countries. 

Passenger Vehicle Exports

Siam revealed that exports of passenger vehicles in the first six months of this  fiscal year hit 3,76,679, marking a rise of 12 percent compared to the same period in 2023. 

Data showed that India's largest carmaker Maruti Suzuki led the vertical with shipments of 1,47,063 units, representing a surge of 12 percent in the year-ago period. 

South Korean carmaker Hyundai exported 84,900 units in the first half of this fiscal year, witnessing a marginal year-on-year drop of 1 percent. 

Two-wheeler Exports

According to the report, exports of two wheelers rose by 16 percent year-on-year in the first half of this fiscal year to 19,59,145 units. 

Siam highlighted that outbound shipments of scooters reached 3,14,533 units from April to September, marking a rise of 19 percent compared to the same period of the previous year. 

Similarly, motor cycle exports also increased by 16 percent year-on-year to 16,41,804 in the first half, while commercial vehicle exports rose 12 percent year-on-year to 35,731 units. 

On a negative note, three wheeler shipments, however, witnessed a 1 percent decline in exports to 1,53,199.