CNH India tractor sales surge 42 percent
CNH’s India unit sold 30,248 tractors in the domestic market in the first half of 2026, a 42 per cent jump from a year earlier, posting its highest-ever market share in the country. The company’s India head, Narinder Mittal, announced the sales figures in an interview.
The New Delhi-based subsidiary operates the New Holland and Case IH brands in India. It reported a 20 per cent increase in exports to 6,666 units in the same six-month period, outpacing the prior year despite headwinds from US tariffs earlier in 2026.
The overall domestic tractor industry grew 25 per cent in the first half, meaning CNH significantly outgrew the market as a whole. Mittal said the company achieved its highest-ever market share in India, driven by a cut in the goods and services tax (GST) and favourable monsoon conditions.
Mittal credited last year’s out-performance to the company’s technology-driven products and expanding dealer network, as well as support from its financial services arm, CNH Capital. However, he flagged softer sentiment that could weigh on sales in the second half.
CNH’s expansion plans remain on track, with a fourth manufacturing facility planned near its existing Greater Noida plant. The new plant will be very close to the existing plant and will serve both the domestic and export markets.
The facility, expected to be commissioned in early 2028, would roughly double CNH’s annual tractor production capacity in India to about 1,20,000 units from around 70,000 currently. The existing plant produced 59,000 units in 2025.
CNH plans to launch a new compact tractor in the 25-30 HP range in the second half of 2028 for both domestic and export markets, including the US and Europe.
CNH’s exports were briefly disrupted by US tariffs, but shipments have since resumed as the situation “eased out”. The United States accounts for about 30 per cent of the company’s export mix.
Mittal said CNH has no plans to diversify away from its existing markets, adding that overall demand across the US, Europe, and other regions “remains the same”, with only local shifts in product mix.
CNH manufactures one type of tractor tailored to each market, which helps it stay competitive.
CNH India’s market share remains around 4.5 per cent, well behind sector leader Mahindra & Mahindra. Mittal attributed the company’s historically modest scale to its longstanding focus on higher-horsepower tractors.
CNH has since moved to broaden its portfolio into lower horsepower categories. Mittal expressed confidence about reaching double-digit market share within five to six years, citing the company’s improving products and affordable technology for farmers.
CNH views India as central to its global strategy, built on four pillars: the domestic market, exports, the India Technology Centre in Gurgaon, and sourcing components from India’s supplier base for plants worldwide.
The company’s India Technology Centre plays a significant role in developing components, with a focus on launching new products and improving existing ones.
Mittal said the Indian tractor market is gradually shifting towards the 45 HP-and-above segment, a trend he expects to continue. He pointed to low mechanisation levels in several segments as a growth opportunity.
Mittal noted that government focus on biomass for power generation and compressed biogas has created new demand for balers and equipment CNH already manufactures. The company has a full range of equipment for this, including small square balers, round balers, and large balers, which can be used for various tasks such as agricultural operations.
As the Indian market continues to evolve, CNH is well-positioned to meet the growing demand for mechanisation, with its wide range of products and commitment to providing affordable technology to farmers.
