Maruti Suzuki’s wholesales rose 24.44 percent in September to 2,36,013 units as carmakers stocked dealerships ahead of the festive season.

Domestic dispatches reached 1,85,252 units. Passenger vehicle sales grew 36.91 percent to 1,81,838 units. Utility vehicles led the surge, jumping 62.05 percent to 78,911 units. Exports rose 4.77 percent to 44,219 units, the company said.

Rivals also posted strong numbers. Tata Motors’ passenger vehicle sales climbed 15 percent to 70,210 units, with electric vehicle sales up 67 percent to 15,384. Mahindra’s domestic passenger vehicle dispatches rose 14 percent to 64,092.

The industry is betting big on the festive season, which starts in October. Navratri begins on October 11, and dealers are building inventory. Maruti said it has pending bookings of more than two lakh vehicles. Senior executive Partho Banerjee called sentiment “very bullish.”

The growth also reflects the GST cut that took effect last September, which unleashed a wave of buying. Dealers now hold about 17 days of inventory, and Maruti wants 30 days during the festival period.

Why it matters: September dispatches signal how confident carmakers are about Diwali demand. The real test comes when retail numbers arrive in October and November.