TVS overtakes Yamaha in global motorcycle rankings
Locally, when it comes to motorcycle sales volume, the conversation usually comes down to two brands: Honda and Rusi. Honda has been the world’s largest motorcycle manufacturer by volume for the past 67 years, with a global annual production capacity of around 20 million motorcycles.
Rusi, meanwhile, is a homegrown brand that assembles motorcycles largely sourced from Chinese manufacturers. It has built a strong foothold in the provinces, where its motorcycles are popular for being significantly more affordable and accessible to mass-market buyers.
On the global stage, the industry saw a shift in 2025, with Indian manufacturer TVS Motor Company overtaking Yamaha Motor Company for the third spot in global motorcycle sales, selling nearly 5.5 million units compared to Yamaha’s around 5 million units that year.
According to Autocar India, TVS posted a 20.7% increase in sales in 2025 compared to 2024. Yamaha, on the other hand, recorded only a meager 0.8% growth in sales over the same period.
No longer dominated by the Japanese
The global motorcycle industry is clearly evolving, and it’s no longer dominated solely by Japanese manufacturers. In recent years, Indian giants such as TVS and Bajaj Auto have been aggressively expanding their influence, often by partnering and/or acquiring motorcycle brands that were once considered premium.
Bajaj, for instance, now holds a controlling stake in KTM AG and is working to restore the Austrian brand’s profitability. TVS, meanwhile, acquired Norton Motorcycles and also serves as a key manufacturing partner for BMW Motorrad on its entry-level models.
TVS has further expanded its global footprint by building the 400cc lineup for Triumph Motorcycles.
“A key growth driver for TVS has been the ongoing ‘premiumization’ trend in India’s motorcycle market. Demand growth has increasingly shifted toward the 150cc+ segments, where TVS has expanded its presence and benefited from stronger consumer demand for higher-displacement models,” said Autocar India in its report.
World Top 3
As noted, Honda remains the world’s largest motorcycle manufacturer by volume, boasting an annual production capacity of over 20 million units and accounting for roughly 40% of global motorcycle sales.
In second place is India’s Hero MotoCorp, which sold 6.25 million motorcycles in 2025. Rounding out the top three, TVS Motor Company secured the third spot with 5.5 million units sold, overtaking its longtime rival, Yamaha, in global rankings.
