The automobile industry in this country is developing rapidly and is considered one of the fastest-growing industries in the world. India has already displaced South Korea from fifth place and has confidently taken it, actively supporting the production of commercial and passenger cars.
What are the Indian automobile brands?
The major Indian automobile brands include Tata, Mahindra & Mahindra, Hindustan Motors, Force, Eicher Motors, Premier, BharatBenz, Maruti Suzuki Ltd, Ashok Leyland, Bajaj Auto Limited, ICML, Kerala Automobiles Limited.
In addition, the Indian automobile industry contributes a large share of gross revenue, which reaches 7.1%. At the same time, the manufacturers are constantly setting up automobile exports abroad. There is reason to believe that such circumstances can propel it to the forefront in the two-wheeler and four-wheeler markets. Brands such as Tata, Mahindra, Hindustan Motors, and Force have already gained considerable popularity.
Major Indian Car Brands
Unlike neighboring China, India does not welcome the “photocopying” of other people’s ideas and redrawing models of world-famous brands. The Celestial Empire can be dizzy with a huge number of companies and automobile monsters. But Indians have nothing of the kind – big brands producing cars are proportional to local conditions of exploitation and ideas of beauty, and they can be counted on the fingers of one hand.
Tata
The car company, which appeared in 1945, did not immediately start working on passenger transportation. For the first nine years, it produced locomotives and, having gained experience, in 1954, it presented its debut car, which it produced in partnership with Daimler-Benz AG. Today, the firm owns several subsidiaries. In 2004, the Indian automaker absorbed Daewoo Commercial Vehicles Company, and in 2008, it acquired Jaguar Land Rover. The founder of the brand is J.R.D. Tata. The company is headquartered in Mumbai (Maharashtra).
Mahindra & Mahindra
This company was founded in Jassowal, Ludhiana district (Punjab) in 1945. It was founded by a group of industrialists, including two from the Mahindra family and one businessman, M.G. Muhammad. Later, the company was given a double name made up of the same surnames of the main founders – Mahindra & Mahindra. At present, it is the largest international conglomerate.
For some time, the main activity of the organization was focused not only on cars but also on tractors. The first Jeep CJ3 came off the assembly line (in 1954). It was followed by a light commercial vehicle (in 1965). Then, the company began assembling Peugeot diesel 4-cylinder engines (in 1979). Later, the company began a partnership with Kia Motors (in 1982). It now has SUVs, three-wheelers, and light commercial vehicles in its arsenal.
Hindustan Motors
Hindustan Motors entered the Indian transportation market much earlier than other companies – in 1942 when B.M. Birla opened it. It is based in Kolkata (West Bengal) and manufactures passenger cars. Before Maruti Udyog came into existence, this organization ranked first in India in the production and sale of four-wheelers.
The company is now part of the Birla Technical Services group. In 2017, it signed an agreement with Peugeot SA to purchase the Ambassador brand along with all technologies, trademarks, and other paraphernalia. In essence, this decision marks a joint venture agreement.
Force
In 1958, the Indian automobile industry was enriched by Force Motors Limited, a company founded by Abhay Firodia. It specializes in multi-purpose and passenger cars, manufacturing them under the specialized brands Trax and Traveler. With the necessary facilities, the company also started manufacturing BMW and Mercedes engines. The company also mastered the production of all-terrain vehicles and agricultural tractors of obsolete models. The company is headquartered in Pune, Maharashtra.
Eicher Motors
The company Eicher Motors is located in Gurgaon (India). It came into existence in 1948 on the initiative of Siddhartha Lal. Its first name was Goodearth. Then, on its basis, Eicher Tractor Corporation of India Private Ltd was created jointly with the German firm Eicher. Since 1965, the automobile company has been wholly owned by Indian shareholders.
Premier
One of the oldest automobile manufacturers in India is located in the city of Mumbai. It was founded in 1944 by Walchand Hirachand with the support of M. Visvesvaraya. It is a part of Walchand Group and is engaged in manufacturing automobiles. This company produced its first trucks and cars in the fall of 1947. Its most popular model is the Premier Padmini, which peaked in popularity in the 1970s and 1980s.
BharatBenz
This is a brand of the transportation company DICV (Daimler India Commercial Vehicles), a subsidiary of the German company Daimler AG. The manufacturer is known for its buses and trucks. The head office of the company is located in Oragadam (Chennai). The foundation of the company was laid much earlier, and in 2011, the brand was relaunched. Now, not only buses and trucks but also heavy tractors are manufactured under it.
Maruti Suzuki Ltd
The owner of this brand is the famous Japanese manufacturer Suzuki Motor Corporation. It is its subsidiary in the Indian automobile market. And in the captivity of the pricing policy, the company offers the most affordable models. Today, among them are minivans, SUVs, and hatchbacks. Having appeared in 1981, the company almost immediately released its first passenger car – in 1984. Now, it has a very extensive network, including not only industrial sites but also service stations. The manufacturer’s headquarters is located in New Delhi.
Ashok Leyland
The Hinduja Group owns Ashok Leyland of Chennai (Tamil Nadu district), a leader in passenger car sales. It also manufactures its cars and is known for providing excellent cars for businesses. The company is now ranked as the second-largest commercial vehicle manufacturer. It owns six factories and sells around 80,000 vehicles annually. The company also manufactures double-decker buses, rail vehicles, and mobile medical vans.
Bajaj Auto Limited
The founder of the automobile company is industrialist Jamnalal Bajaj. He established it in the fall of 1945 in Pune, starting the production of tricycles and velomobiles. A little later, the company started assembling passenger cars. Today, it is part of the Bajaj Group of companies. Currently, the Indian company ranks third in the world ranking of manufacturers of three-wheeled cars and affordable cars. Its innovative development is the RE60 model, which is compact, eco-friendly, and inexpensive.
ICML
The full name of this Indian company is International Cars And Motors Ltd. It is a part of Sonalika Group, which is a manufacturer of tractor products. Today, ICML has become its subsidiary headquartered in Delhi. Initially, after its inception (2003), it also manufactured tractors, but after three years, it set up an automobile assembly line. Currently, the company offers the Extreme MUV off-road vehicle designed for off-road driving. It is available in several variants adapted for vans of various specialized services (e.g., medical).
Kerala Automobiles Limited
KAL (the name is most often used in abbreviated form) is an Indian automobile company founded in 1978 in Trivandrum, Kerala. The company designs, manufactures, and markets various types of three-wheelers, including autorickshaws, which are exported mainly to Egypt. The range also includes pickup trucks and electric vehicles. The company plans to produce electric-powered buses for local motor carriers.
Vazirani Automotive
Indian startup Vazirani Automotive debuted in 2018 with an electric supercar. The company’s next development was the Ekonk speedster, a vehicle with a record-low weight. Although the Vazirani logo contains only text, it is filled with internal dynamics. And all thanks to the unique style of the inscription: for the first word, glyphs are used, slanted to the right side, and connected by horizontal lines. The letters are aligned at the top, so the capital letter “V” is shifted downwards. The word “AUTOMOTIVE” is located on the second line. It is characterized by a very large letter spacing and a geometric sans-serif font. The glyphs are so small and thin that it is difficult to see them. In addition, the entire inscription is in a muted brown color.
Swaraj Mazda
Swaraj Mazda is the old name of SML Isuzu Limited, an Indian company. It manufactures light commercial vehicles, including police cars, buses, and trucks, exported to many Asian countries. This automaker’s logo used to contain a two-tiered lettering “SWARAJ MAZDA” in a light blue color. Each letter was unique, but the most original were the “W” and “M” with rectangular lines, as well as the “Z” divided into three fragments. The designers justified both width lines but enlarged the glyphs in the word “MAZDA,” causing them to merge.
Tara International
Tara International, a marketing company, sells a wide range of products, including automobiles, appliances, and industrial equipment. Of the Indian automakers, it has partnered with Tara Green Auto, a company that makes electric cars.
Its logo consists of three lines. At the top is the large word “TARA,” in the middle is “INTERNATIONAL,” and at the bottom is the phrase “TOUCHING THE GLOBAL EDGE.” All letters are capitalized but differ in size: each successive line is smaller in scale than the previous one. The name of the service is typed in bold sans-serif, and the motto in thin type. The text is black except for the first letter, “T.” This letter is decorated with a blue gradient and is complemented by wide outlines that make it appear three-dimensional. At the top of the letter “T,” there is a notch, almost like a glyph similar to the Tesla emblem.
San Storm
San Storm is an automobile brand owned by San Motors India LTD. Two-seat roadsters were produced under it from 1998 to 2013. You could recognize the emblem of this model in the triangular crest. On the silver base, there were two red figures. The free space between them was formed by a zigzag of lightning. And on top, in black letters, was written the word “San.” Each glyph looked unique, especially the letter “a” with a triangular gap inside.
TVS Motor
TVS Motor is one of the most popular Indian motorcycle manufacturers. The company exports its products abroad, so its logo is known to people in more than 60 countries. Two-wheeled vehicles produced by it are created with the use of innovative technologies. They are able to gain considerable speed, which is embodied in the form of a fiery horse. The animal is depicted schematically, without details: the artists drew only a dark red silhouette. At the same time, the tail and mane of the running horse are separated, which creates a sense of flight.
The abbreviation of the motorcycle brand name is written at the bottom in bold italics. The font with huge rectangular serifs is roughly similar to DSType’s Rude Slab Wide Black Italic and DSType’s Rude Slab SemiWide Black Italic. The blue color of the lettering visually balances the red emblem.
FAQ
Which car is the king of India?
Despite its British origins, the Ambassador is called the “King of Indian roads.” Made by Hindustan Motors, it became a symbol of reliability and durability in India.
Introduced in 1958 and based on the British Morris Oxford series III model, the Ambassador adapted to the needs of Indian consumers. It earned a reputation for being sturdy and spacious, making it a favorite among government officials, taxi drivers, and families.
The Ambassador was closely linked to Indian politics and governance, and many government vehicles were Ambassadors. This made them a common sight in political and administrative centers.
Although production stopped in 2014, the Ambassador’s legacy lives on. It symbolizes India’s automotive history, blending nostalgia, practicality, and cultural significance. The title “King of Indian Roads” reflects its lasting impact on the Indian people.
Which are the Indian car companies?
Indian car companies are rapidly developing and show great promise. The largest manufacturers include Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai Motor India, Tata Motors, and Mahindra & Mahindra.
Maruti Suzuki is a joint venture between Maruti Udyog and Suzuki Motor Corporation of Japan. It is the largest car manufacturer in India, producing a wide range of vehicles, from affordable hatchbacks to stylish sedans.
Hyundai Motor India is a subsidiary of the South Korean automaker Hyundai. Since entering the Indian market, Hyundai has become a leading car manufacturer. Hyundai offers a variety of models, from budget cars to premium vehicles.
Tata Motors is an Indian company that plays a significant role in the country’s automotive industry. It manufactures passenger cars, trucks, buses, and defense vehicles in international markets.
Mahindra & Mahindra is another major Indian automobile manufacturer. The brand is well-known for its SUVs, tractors, and commercial vehicles. The company has a strong presence in rural and semi-urban markets and is expanding globally.
Which car is made in India?
India produces domestic and foreign car brands, showcasing various options from luxury to affordable vehicles. Notable brands made in India include:
- BMW manufactures models like the 3 Series and 5 Series at its Chennai plant. These cars are known for luxury, performance, and advanced technology.
- Skoda and Volkswagen (VW) have facilities in India. They produce models like the Skoda Rapid and Volkswagen Polo, known for their European design and engineering.
- Tata Motors is a major Indian manufacturer that produces vehicles like the Tata Nexon and Tata Harrier. Tata focuses on safety and innovation.
- Ford makes cars such as the EcoSport and Endeavour in India. They are known for their robust build quality and advanced features.
- Hyundai’s Chennai plants produce models like the Hyundai Creta and Hyundai i20. Hyundai is celebrated for its modern design and reliability.
- Honda manufactures models like the Honda City and Honda Amaze in India, known for their fuel efficiency and reliability.
- Maruti Suzuki is the largest car manufacturer in India, producing models such as the Swift and Baleno. The brand is popular for its affordability and vast service network.
- Eicher Motors and Force Motors Ltd. produce commercial and utility vehicles that are robust and durable, serving both urban and rural markets.
- TVS is a key player in the Indian automotive industry, making two-wheelers and three-wheelers popular.
- Renault manufactures models like the Renault Kwid and Renault Duster in India, which are appreciated for their unique design and practicality.
Which is the No one car company in India?
Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. is the top car company in India, leading in market share and sales. As a major car manufacturer in South Asia, Maruti Suzuki is known for producing reliable, affordable, and fuel-efficient vehicles for many consumers.
Founded as a joint venture between Maruti Udyog and Suzuki Motor Corporation of Japan, Maruti Suzuki has become India’s most trusted and popular car brand.
A key reason for Maruti Suzuki’s dominance is its extensive sales and service network, reaching both urban and rural areas. This accessibility has built a loyal customer base.
Popular models like the Maruti Suzuki Swift, Baleno, Alto, and Vitara Brezza are known for their excellent mileage, affordable pricing, and low maintenance costs.
Maruti Suzuki focuses on innovation and meeting changing market demands. The company incorporates advanced technology and safety features in its vehicles, aligning with the evolving preferences of Indian consumers.
How are many car companies Indian?
India has around 40 to 50 car brands, including domestic and international companies. This mix contributes to a diverse and competitive automotive market.
Domestic Brands:
- Maruti Suzuki
- Tata Motors
- Mahindra & Mahindra
- Eicher Motors and Force Motors
- TVS Motor Company
International Brands:
- Hyundai Motor India
- Honda Cars India
- Ford India
- Renault India
- BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, and Volkswagen
These brands cover the breadth of the Indian automotive market, including affordable cars, luxury vehicles, commercial vehicles, and innovative electric models.
