Mangaluru: Every year, people are showing increasing interest in buying new cars and two-wheelers, leading to a steady rise in vehicle registrations. Over the past four years, the number of vehicle buyers has increased across the coastal belt. In Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts, a total of 1,04,782 vehicles were registered last year, and indications suggest that even more new vehicles may reach customers in 2026.

Under the Mangaluru RTO limits, 48,520 vehicles were registered last year, marking a 2.57 per cent increase compared to the previous year. This included 30,416 two-wheelers and 12,075 cars. Of these, 25,959 were petrol vehicles and 3,371 were diesel vehicles. A total of 6,008 electric vehicles (EVs) were also registered.

In Udupi district, vehicle purchases increased by 4.04 per cent, with 36,448 vehicles registered in 2025. This included 24,498 two-wheelers and 8,018 cars. Among them were 19,272 petrol vehicles, 2,724 diesel vehicles and 2,845 electric vehicles.

Decline in Bantwal and Puttur:
Compared to previous years, vehicle registrations declined in the Bantwal and Puttur RTO limits. In Puttur, registrations dropped from 12,946 in 2024 to 12,291 in 2025. In Bantwal, registrations reduced from 8,064 in 2024 to 7,523 in 2025. Over the past four years in Bantwal, the registration of three-wheelers has been higher than cars. In 2025, 1,105 cars and 1,505 three-wheelers were registered, while in 2024, 1,690 three-wheelers were registered.

Growing preference for cars:
The number of two-wheelers has increased sharply along the coast, and at the same time, people are showing a stronger preference for buying cars. In Mangaluru, car registrations rose from 10,724 in 2024 to 12,075 in 2025, while two-wheeler registrations declined slightly from 30,900 to 30,416. In Udupi, 8,018 cars were registered in 2025, which is 1,248 more than the previous year. Car purchases have also increased in Bantwal and Puttur.

Slow but steady rise in electric vehicles:
Interest in electric vehicles is gradually increasing among consumers. In 2025, 6,008 EVs were registered in Mangaluru, 2,845 in Udupi, 1,007 in Puttur and 711 in Bantwal. Compared to previous years, vehicle registrations across RTO limits have increased by an average of 500 to 2,000 vehicles.

Vehicle purchases rise across the state:
Across the state, 19,11,748 vehicles were registered in 2025, compared to 15,32,267 in 2022. In 2023, registrations increased by 13.99 per cent to 17,46,667. In 2024, registrations stood at 18,88,184, and in 2025 they rose by 1.25 per cent. During 2025, customers purchased 13,44,207 two-wheelers and 3,69,432 cars. Farmers also purchased 58,807 tractors and 13,028 trailers for agricultural purposes. Of the total vehicles, 9,36,028 were petrol, 4,26,865 petrol/ethanol, 2,02,242 diesel and 2,14,656 electric vehicles.

Increase in agricultural machinery purchases:
Since 2023, the purchase of agricultural machinery has increased across the state, indicating a shift towards mechanised farming. In 2023, 52,780 tractors and 13,410 trailers were registered. In 2024, registrations included 50,653 tractors and 11,972 trailers, while in 2025, 58,807 tractors and 13,028 trailers were registered. In 2025, farmers in the coastal region alone purchased 56 tractors.

Strong start to 2026 vehicle sales:
In January 2026, vehicle registrations stood at 5,315 in Mangaluru, 4,522 in Udupi, 1,637 in Puttur and 1,012 in Bantwal. Across all RTO limits, registrations were higher than in January of the previous year, indicating strong signs of further growth in new vehicle purchases during the current year.