Maruti Suzuki India (MSIL) has reported a 26.8% year-on-year (YoY) decline in net profit to Rs24.15bn ($253.7m) for the second quarter of FY 2026-27, despite higher sales revenue and sales volumes.

Net sales for the July–September quarter rose to Rs506.15bn, from Rs401.35bn in the corresponding quarter of the previous fiscal year.

Total sales volume increased 26.5% YoY to 696,654 units.

Operating profit declined to Rs28.03bn from Rs33.82bn in Q2 FY 2025-26.

MSIL attributed the decrease to commodity price increases linked to the ongoing conflict in West Asia.

Domestic passenger vehicle growth included a 35.9% increase in small car sales and a 68.2% rise in sport utility vehicle volumes, supported by recent model introductions.

Capacity additions supported deliveries during the quarter, although demand exceeded available supply.

MSIL ended the period with an order backlog of approximately 200,000 units and dealer network inventory of around 17 days.

Exports fell marginally to 108,119 units, from 110,487 units in Q2 FY 2025-26, as geopolitical headwinds affected overseas operations.

Multiple media reports said Maruti Suzuki India managing director and CEO Hisashi Takeuchi said in post-earnings briefing that the automaker plans to increase vehicle prices across its lineup over the next six months to offset higher input costs and protect operating margins.

In the first half of FY 2026-27, total sales volume increased 27.9% YoY to 1,379,378 units, including 1,146,523 domestic units and 232,855 export units.

Net sales rose to Rs1tn from Rs767.56bn in H1 FY 2025-26, while net profit declined to Rs57.67bn from Rs70.60bn.

The board also approved plans to establish the Osamu Suzuki Centre of Excellence, an initiative to promote and enhance vocational and future-ready technical skills.

In June, Maruti Suzuki India launched the Wagon R FFV, the first Suzuki model built to run on any ethanol-petrol blend.