FADA Study: MG Leads Car Dealer Satisfaction, Maruti Suzuki
A 2026 dealer satisfaction study by FADA shows overall improvement, with JSW MG Motor topping mass-market car brands and Royal Enfield leading
Dealer satisfaction across India's automobile industry improved in 2026, according to the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA). The sixth edition of its Dealer Satisfaction Study, conducted with PremonAsia, recorded a 29-point year-on-year increase in the overall index, bringing it to 810. Despite this rise, the report identifies persistent challenges around business viability, margins, and unsold stock.
Mass-Market Cars and Two-Wheelers Ranked
In the mass-market four-wheeler segment, JSW MG Motor ranked highest with a score of 865 points. The study's segment average was 810. Mahindra followed in second place, with Tata Motors and Kia also scoring above the average. Maruti Suzuki, India's volume leader, scored significantly lower. Toyota and Kia showed the strongest year-on-year improvements among the ranked carmakers.
The two-wheeler segment saw an even wider spread in scores. Royal Enfield led narrowly, with Hero MotoCorp close behind. Both were well above their segment's average score of 827.
| Manufacturer | Segment | Score |
|---|---|---|
| JSW MG Motor | Mass-Market 4W | 865 |
| Mahindra | Mass-Market 4W | 853 |
| Tata Motors | Mass-Market 4W | 836 |
| Kia | Mass-Market 4W | 812 |
| Toyota | Mass-Market 4W | 778 |
| Hyundai | Mass-Market 4W | 766 |
| Maruti Suzuki | Mass-Market 4W | 670 |
| Renault | Mass-Market 4W | 597 |
| Royal Enfield | 2W | 878 |
| Hero MotoCorp | 2W | 873 |
| TVS Motor | 2W | 689 |
| Suzuki Motorcycle India | 2W | 666 |
| Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India | 2W | 631 |
| Bajaj Auto | 2W | 570 |
Other Vehicle Segments
The study also covered commercial vehicles, electric vehicles, and luxury cars. Tata Motors led the commercial vehicle category. In the pure-electric segments, Ather Energy topped two-wheelers and VinFast Auto India led four-wheelers. BMW India was the highest-ranked luxury car manufacturer. For tractors, Mahindra's Swaraj Division scored above its segment average.
Key Dealer Concerns Highlighted
FADA's findings reveal continuing pressure on dealership economics. Business Viability & Policy was the lowest-scoring factor in the entire study. This category, along with After-Sales and Sales & Order Planning, accounts for roughly 68% of dealer priorities.
Dealers specifically flagged vehicle and spare-parts margins as problematic. They also cited buyback policies for unsold inventory, training cost-sharing, parts availability, and repair turnaround times as areas needing manufacturer attention. For mass-market car dealers, deadstock and the costs of carrying inventory are growing concerns. Two-wheeler dealers emphasized the need for support in electric vehicle readiness, covering infrastructure investment and service economics.
Product Strength vs. Economic Pressure
An interesting finding from the 2026 study is that the product itself is not a primary issue. Dealers generally rated product reliability, range, and regular updates positively. The mounting pressure is instead focused on the economics of running a dealership.
FADA President Mr. Sai Giridhar commented on the results. He stated that the study reflects the evolving relationship between dealers and manufacturers. Giridhar said, "While product quality, reliability and range continue to be strong areas, the findings clearly underline the need for greater focus on dealer viability." He added that dealers seek more structured involvement in decision-making and regular engagement with manufacturers at all levels. The transition to new technologies makes strengthening dealer economics critical for the industry's long-term growth, according to the FADA president.
