Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Jun 10: The number of people purchasing new vehicles along the coastal districts continues to rise year after year, with vehicle registrations from January to the end of May 2026 surpassing previous records. While petrol E20 vehicles, cars, and two-wheelers have witnessed strong demand, the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) remains comparatively slow.
Over the past four years, the number of new vehicle registrations in Dakshina Kannada (DK) and Udupi districts has consistently increased. In 2025 alone, a total of 1,04,782 vehicles were registered across the two districts, and indications suggest that even more vehicles will reach consumers in 2026.
Last year, vehicle registrations increased by 2.57 per cent in the Mangaluru RTO jurisdiction and by 4.09 per cent in Udupi. However, registrations had declined in the Bantwal and Puttur RTO limits. Despite this, current trends indicate a further rise in vehicle purchases during 2026.
Traditionally, vehicle exchanges and purchases peak during festivals such as Dasara and Deepavali. The current registration figures have raised expectations that the coastal region could witness record vehicle sales this year.
During the first five months of 2026, a total of 23,424 vehicles were registered in the Mangaluru RTO jurisdiction, followed by 18,031 in Udupi, 7,071 in Puttur, and 4,170 in Bantwal. Compared to previous years, these figures represent the highest registrations recorded during the initial five-month period.
Although new models of electric vehicles are entering the market regularly, consumer response has not been as strong as expected. EV purchases continue to grow at a slower pace.
In 2026, EV registrations stood at 2,697 in Mangaluru, 1,663 in Udupi, 776 in Puttur, and 556 in Bantwal. In comparison, during 2025, EV registrations totalled 6,008 in Mangaluru, 2,845 in Udupi, 1,007 in Puttur, and 711 in Bantwal.
Udupi district has witnessed a significant increase in the purchase of agricultural machinery, particularly tractors. Over the past four months, farmers in the district purchased 23 tractors.
In 2025, a total of 30 tractors were registered in Udupi, of which nine were registered by May and seven during June alone. This year's figures indicate the likelihood of further growth in tractor purchases.
In contrast, not a single tractor has been registered under the Mangaluru RTO jurisdiction so far this year. Two tractors have been registered in Puttur, while one farmer in the Bantwal jurisdiction has purchased a tractor.
Across Karnataka, a total of 29,857 tractors have been registered during the current year, reflecting sustained demand for agricultural machinery in the state.