Nifty Auto Index Rises 0.7% for Second Straight Session as Maruti Suzuki and M&M Lead Gains

Nifty Auto index up 0.7%, extending gains to a second straight day. Maruti Suzuki leads gainers, up 1.48% to Rs 13,784. M&M up 1.4%, Exide Ind up 1.23%.

Nifty Auto index rose 0.7 percent in intraday trade on Thursday, 16 July 2026, extending its gains to a second consecutive session, with passenger vehicle major Maruti Suzuki leading the pack of gainers across the auto sector.

Maruti Suzuki was the top performer within the Nifty Auto index, rising 1.48 percent to Rs 13,784.00 on volumes of 62,040 shares, followed closely by Mahindra & Mahindra, up 1.4 percent to Rs 3,126.10.

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Nifty Auto Index: Top Gainers on 16 July 2026

The table below captures the intraday performance of the leading constituents within the Nifty Auto index, spanning passenger vehicles, two-wheelers, commercial vehicles and auto ancillary companies.

What’s Driving the Nifty Auto Index Higher

The Nifty Auto index’s second consecutive day of gains reflects broad-based strength across passenger vehicle, two-wheeler and auto ancillary names, with Maruti Suzuki and Mahindra & Mahindra, India’s two largest passenger vehicle makers by volume, both posting gains above 1.4 percent to lead the index higher.

Exide Industries, a battery manufacturer serving both the traditional automotive and increasingly the electric vehicle battery segments, rounded out the top three gainers within the Nifty Auto index, up 1.23 percent, reflecting continued investor interest in auto ancillary names positioned to benefit from India’s ongoing vehicle electrification transition.

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Broad-Based Participation Across Auto Segments

Unlike some sector index moves driven by a single standout performer, today’s Nifty Auto index gain shows relatively broad participation, with all ten tracked constituents posting positive returns ranging from 0.25 percent for Sona BLW to 1.48 percent for Maruti Suzuki. This breadth suggests the rally reflects sector-wide sentiment rather than a stock-specific catalyst.

Commercial vehicle exposure through Tata Motors (TMPV), two-wheeler exposure through Hero MotoCorp and Eicher Motors, and auto component exposure through UNO Minda, Motherson and Sona BLW all contributed to the index gain, spanning the full breadth of India’s automobile manufacturing value chain from vehicle makers to component suppliers. This diversified representation is part of what makes the Nifty Auto index a widely tracked barometer for the health of India’s broader auto manufacturing ecosystem.

What Investors Should Watch Next

Investors tracking the Nifty Auto index should watch for monthly auto sales data releases, which typically provide the most direct read on underlying demand trends across passenger vehicles, two-wheelers and commercial vehicles. Festive season demand expectations later in the year will also be a key driver for sector sentiment heading into the second half of FY27.

Raw material cost trends, particularly for steel and battery-grade metals, along with any updates on EV policy incentives, will also remain important variables for the Nifty Auto index constituents as the sector continues its ongoing transition toward electrification alongside sustained internal combustion engine vehicle demand.

Auto Sector Outlook Heading Into H2 FY27

The Nifty Auto index’s two-day winning streak comes as India’s automobile sector heads into a period that typically sees demand build-up ahead of the festive season, historically the strongest period for vehicle sales across passenger vehicles, two-wheelers and commercial vehicles. Investors will be watching whether this early-cycle strength in the Nifty Auto index translates into sustained momentum through the second half of the fiscal year.

Auto ancillary names within the Nifty Auto index, including Exide Industries, UNO Minda, Motherson and Sona BLW, also carry exposure to India’s broader electric vehicle transition, with several of these companies actively investing in EV-specific product lines alongside their traditional internal combustion engine vehicle component businesses. This dual exposure gives investors in the Nifty Auto index a way to participate in both the current ICE vehicle upcycle and the longer-term EV transition simultaneously.

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FAQs

1. Why did the Nifty Auto index rise today?

Ans. The Nifty Auto index rose 0.7 percent, extending gains to a second consecutive session, led by Maruti Suzuki, M&M and Exide Industries.

2. Which stock led gains in the Nifty Auto index?

Ans. Maruti Suzuki led gains, rising 1.48 percent to Rs 13,784.00.

3. How long has the Nifty Auto index been rising?

Ans. The index has now risen for two consecutive trading sessions.

4. What stocks are part of the Nifty Auto index?

Ans. The index includes passenger vehicle makers like Maruti Suzuki and M&M, two-wheeler makers like Hero MotoCorp and Eicher Motors, commercial vehicle maker Tata Motors, and auto ancillary companies like Exide Industries, UNO Minda, Motherson and Sona BLW.

5. Did all auto stocks rise today?

Ans. Yes, all ten tracked constituents posted positive returns, ranging from 0.25 percent for Sona BLW to 1.48 percent for Maruti Suzuki, showing broad-based sector strength.

6. How much did Mahindra & Mahindra gain today?

Ans. Mahindra & Mahindra gained 1.4 percent to Rs 3,126.10 within the Nifty Auto index basket.

7. What should investors watch for the auto sector going forward?

Ans. Investors should track monthly auto sales data and festive season demand expectations for a fundamental read on the sector beyond daily price action.