JSW MG Motor, Royal Enfield, Ashok Leyland, Atul Auto, and Volvo Cars Take Top Honours in the Dealer Satisfaction Study 2025
New Delhi – At the 7th Auto Retail Conclave, the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA) unveiled the much-awaited results of the Dealer Satisfaction Study (DSS) 2025—a mirror to the delicate marriage between dealers and manufacturers. And like any marriage, the results revealed who’s happily committed, who’s still negotiating, and who really needs couple’s therapy.
The Winners Circle
This year’s DSS results saw familiar names taking the pole position:
- 4-Wheeler Mass Market: JSW MG Motor stole the show yet again with an enviable score of 868 points, leaving competitors wondering if the company secretly hands out spa vouchers with every dealership agreement.
- 2-Wheelers: Royal Enfield thundered into first place with 852 points, proving that nothing unites dealers more than the promise of endless retro motorcycles and loyal fan clubs.
- Commercial Vehicles: Ashok Leyland retained its crown at 786 points, reminding everyone that trucks may be heavy, but trust is even heavier.
- 3-Wheelers: Making a dramatic return after three years, Atul Auto revved up to 924 points, a score that would make even luxury brands jealous.
- 4-Wheeler Luxury: Volvo Cars led the luxury pack with 884 points, because nothing says satisfaction like Swedish design and a dealer margin that doesn’t make you cry at night.
Dealer Diaries: Smiles and Sighs
While the trophies were handed out, the real chatter came from dealer feedback:
- Smiles: Dealers praised product quality, frequent updates, fair warranty handling, and effective training.
- Sighs: They flagged concerns about unsold inventory buybacks, training cost-sharing, slim margins, and the occasional feeling of being left out of OEM decision-making (a bit like being invited to a wedding but only for the “sangeet”).
As FADA President C. S. Vigneshwar put it:
“The message is clear: great products are winning hearts, but dealers also want policies that don’t keep them awake at 3 AM calculating training invoices and carrying costs.”
Notable Movers
- Royal Enfield and Hero MotoCorp made the biggest leaps, improving by 140+ points each—proof that a few well-timed product launches can heal old wounds.
- Renault India surprised many with a +90 point gain, climbing out of the “mid-life crisis” zone.
- Tata Motors CV emerged as the lone improver in its segment, earning brownie points for listening more closely to its dealer network.
Industry Pulse
The industry average climbed to 781 points, up 13 from last year. Product satisfaction remains sky-high, but business viability is still the elephant in the showroom. Dealers continue to juggle inventory, slim profit margins, and policy rigidity.
As Rahul Sharma, COO of PremonAsia, quipped,
“Two-thirds of dealer sentiment is shaped by after-sales and viability. If OEMs want to win long-term, they need to offer more than just shiny cars and motorcycles—they need to ensure the showroom lights stay on.”
In the auto-retail ecosystem, happy dealers mean happy customers, and DSS 2025 proves that while India’s auto industry has some shining stars, the backstage crew is still asking for better lighting, more food coupons, and maybe a share in the Netflix subscription.
One thing’s for sure: if dealers keep voicing their concerns this loudly, next year’s conclave might just need noise-cancelling headphones.
