With the growth of the Indian car market, many people have started looking for vehicles that have been manufactured in India. Are you planning on purchasing a vehicle from one of the Indian car brands? If so, then here is a guide to the best car manufacturers in India:
The List Of All Indian Car Brands
These are all the auto manufacturing companies we could find from India.
Most Popular Chinese Car Companies
Tata Motors Limited
- Years: 1945 – Present
- Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
- Founder/Parent Company: Jamshed ji Tata
- Website: http://www.tatamotors.com/
- More Information: Tata Motors Logo, History and Models
Formerly known as ‘Tata Engineering and Locomotive Company (TELCO), Tata Motors is one of the leading Indian car companies. The company was founded way back in 1945 and was first a manufacturer of locomotives, having introduced its first commercial vehicle in 1954. The automotive industry is headquartered in Mumbai, Maharashtra, and has numerous assembly and manufacturing plants in Pune, Dharwad, Sanand, Lucknow, Pantnagar, and Jamshedpur.
Additionally, the Tata Motors also has manufacturing plants in the United Kingdom, Thailand, South Africa, and Argentina. The company is known for producing some of the most fuel-efficient and reliable vehicles. Recently, the company has introduced the Tata Nano, the world’s most affordable car. Apart from the Nano, the Tata Indica is another famous car that reached the top spot in the best-selling cars in India.
Popular commercial vehicles include the Tata Prima, Marcopolo, Starbus, Semi-Forward Cab, Tata Ace, Novus, Ultra, Tata Telcoline, and Tata Prima LX. The manufacturer is also known for producing military vehicles. Some of the most popular include the Tata Xenon and the Tata Sumo 4*4.
Maruti Suzuki Limited
- Years: 1981 – Present
- Headquarters: New Delhi, India
- Founder/Parent Company: Suzuki
- Website: http://www.marutisuzuki.com/
- More Information: Suzuki Logo, History and Models
Formerly known as Maruti Udyog Limited, Maruti Suzuki is one of the most popular Indian car manufacturers. It is a subsidiary of the popular Japanese motorcycle and automobile brand, Suzuki. The vehicle company is known for its reputation for producing some of the most budget-friendly vehicles. It was founded in 1981 and manufactured its first vehicle in 1984. It has more than 933 dealerships across 666 cities and towns in India with 3,060 service stations around 1,454 towns and cities and 30 Express Service Stations around 30 National Highways.
Some of the most popular vehicles produced by Maruti Suzuki include Omni (Minivan), Gypsy (SUV), Zen (Hatchback), Wagon R (Hatchback), Grand Vitara (Mini SUV), Swift DZire (Sedan), and Ritz (Hatchback). The latest vehicles, manufactured and released in 2014, include the Stingray (Hatchback), Ciaz (Sedan), and the Celerio (Hatchback). However, the company doesn’t only stay limited to manufacturing vehicles and also provides insurance, financing, car parts and accessories, and even has many driving schools. In other words, it is a diverse group of companies under one banner.
Hindustan Motor Limited
- Years: 1942 – Present
- Headquarters: Kolkata, India
- Founder/Parent Company: CK Birla Group
- Website: http://www.hindmotor.com/
Hindustan Motors was founded way back in 1942 and is an automotive manufacturer that is based in Kolkata, West Bengal of India. The company was the most popular and largest car brand in India until 1980 when Maruti Suzuki took its place by producing some of the most fuel-efficient and budget-friendly vehicles. Hindustan Motors is generally the producer of the famous Indian Ambassador motorcar, which was inspired by the design of Morris Oxford. Most of the politicians in India still travel around in Ambassadors.
The company also has numerous joint ventures with other popular manufacturers. These include Isuzu and Mitsubishi. The Isuzu Joint Venture is located at Pithampur, Madhya Pradesh, and is known for making the first 1.8-Liter petrol and 2.0-diesel engine in India. This joint venture is mainly responsible for creating engines for Hindustan Motors.
The Mitsubishi joint venture, on the other hand, started in 1988. The manufacturing plant is located in Tamil Nadu and generally promotes outdated models of the renowned manufacturer Mitsubishi. Some of the most popular include the Mitsubishi Outlander, the Mitsubishi Montero, the Mitsubishi Pajero, the Mitsubishi Lancer, and the Lancer Evolution X or EX.
Ashok Leyland Limited
- Years: 1948 – Present
- Headquarters: Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
- Founder/Parent Company: Hinduja Group
- Website: http://www.ashokleyland.com/
Based in Chennai, Ashok Leyland is among the leading companies for commercial vehicles in India. The company doesn’t actually manufacture passenger vehicles, but is popular for producing some of the best commercial vehicles. It is the 2nd largest commercial vehicle manufacturer in India and has six operating plants across India. The company sells approximately 7,000 engines and 80,000 commercial vehicles annually and is the leader in the bus segment.
Some of the most popular vehicles manufactured by Ashok Leyland include the Comet (Semi-Trailer), The Hino Bus, the U-Truck, Dost Truck, and Boss Truck. The company is also famous for producing strong military vehicles such as the Stallion Kavach 4*4 and Indian road-mobile missile launcher. Apart from military vehicles, the company also manufactures health units, rail buses, double-decker buses.
Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M)
- Years: 1945 – Present
- Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
- Founder/Parent Company: Mahindra Group
- Website: http://www.mahindra.com/
Headquartered in Maharashtra, Mahindra & Mahindra Limited is in Indian multination car manufacturer. It is by far the largest manufacturer and seller of tractors across the world and is one of the biggest vehicle manufacturers in India. The company is a part of the Mahindra Group and is in constant competition with Tata Motors, Maruti Suzuki, and Ashkok Leyland.
Some of the most popular cars manufactured by Mahindra include the e20, Renault Verito, Xylo, Mahindra Thar, Quanto, XUV 500, Bolero, and Scorpio. Most of the vehicles produced by Mahindra are SUVs and pickups and the company has earned a strong reputation for manufacturing some of the best and most powerful engines.
Chinkara Motors Private Limited
- Years: 1960 – Present
- Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
- Founder/Parent Company: Not Available
- Website: http://www.chinkara.co.in/
Chinkara Motors Private Limited is also based in Maharashtra and is a reputable aviation, marine, ATV, and vehicle manufacturer. The company is mainly known for producing classic and stylish Jeepster and Roadster type vehicles. Some of the most popular cars manufactured by Chinkara motors include the Chinkara Hammer, which was manufactured for the Indian forces, Rockster (ATV), Beachster (Dune Buggy) and Sailster, a wind-powered vehicle.
Other Active Indian Auto Manufacturers
In addition to the manufacturers mentioned above, there are plenty of others which have quite a good reputation in terms of safety and reliability.
Opel India Private Ltd
- Years: 1996 – Present
- Headquarters: Gurgaon, India
- Founder/Parent Company: General Motors India Private Limited
- Website: http://www.opel.com/
Opel India Private Limited is a division of the General Motors India Private Limited. The company has been producing vehicles since 1996, but since the arrival of Chevrolet in India, the Opel brand has now discontinued manufacturing vehicles. For now, the company only provides spare parts to existing vehicle owners. Some of the most famous cars manufactured by Opel include the Vectra C, Astra F, and of course, the Corsa B.
Eicher Motors Limited
- Years: 1948 – Present
- Headquarters: Gurgaon, India
- Founder/Parent Company: Eicher Group
- Website: http://www.eicher.in/
The Eicher Motors Limited is an automobile manufacturer based in Gurgaon, India, that mainly specializes in producing commercial vehicles, such as buses, trucks, and tractors. The company’s history dates back to 1948 where it began its journey as a tractor company. However, it officially became an automobile manufacturer in 1982 and even produces bicycles, motorcycles, automotive gear and other components.
Bajaj Auto Limited
- Years: 1945 – Present
- Headquarters: Pune, India
- Founder/Parent Company: Jamnalal Bajaj
- Website: http://www.bajajauto.com/
Bajaj Auto Limited is one of the most popular automobile manufacturers in India. The company first started off selling motorcycles and three-wheelers and soon began its way up to the manufacturing of cars. Bajaj is the world’s third-largest manufacturer of motorcycles and three-wheelers and is known for its reputation of manufacturing low-cost cars. Just recently, the company has introduced a compact car known as the RE60 which is highly fuel-efficient and budget-friendly.
Premier Ltd.
- Years: 1941 – Present
- Headquarters: Mumbai, India
- Founder/Parent Company: Walchand Group
- Website: http://premier.co.in/
Premier Ltd, previously known as ‘The Premier Automobiles limited’ is a popular automobile manufacturer based in Mumbai, India. The company began its journey into the automotive industry by assembling vehicles of other manufacturers, such as Plymouth and Dodge. Soon, the company began manufacturing the ‘Padmini’ which is perhaps the most popular taxi all around India. Now, the company even manufactures passenger vehicles, machine tools, and buses.
Force Motors Limited
- Years: 1958 – Present
- Headquarters: Pune, India
- Founder/Parent Company:K.Firodia
- Website: http://www.forcemotors.com/
Force Motors, previously known as ‘Bajaj Tempo’, is one of the most popular manufacturers of heavy commercial vehicles, buses, tractors, light commercial vehicles, cross-country vehicles, and three-wheelers. The company has changed its named twice and was originally named after N.K Firodia, but after joining hands with Bajaj Auto, became ‘Bajaj Tempo’. Some of the most popular vehicles produced by Force Motors include the Traveller (Ambulance), Tempo Matador, Mindor, Trax Judo, and One.
ICML Motors
- Years: Not Available
- Headquarters: Punjab, India
- Founder/Parent Company: Sonalika Group
- Website: http://www.icml.co.in/
ICML motors short for “International Cars and Motors Limited” is a subsidiary of the Sonalika Group. The company generally specializes in manufacturing passenger vehicles (SUVs) and commercial vehicles (tractors). As of 2012, the company had reached the fourth spot in the largest tractor manufacturer in terms of sales. The company has newly introduced the ‘Extreme MUV’ which is an advanced version of the famous ‘Rhino MUV’.
Non Active Indian Car Makes List
Swaraj Mazda
- Years: 1983 – 2011
- Headquarters: Chandigarh, India
- Founder/Parent Company: Sumitomo Corporation
- Website: Not Available
Swaraj Mazda Limited was a popular automobile manufacturer based in Chandigarh, India. The company was founded by the Sumitomo Corporation and generally existed as a technical collaboration between Mazda and Isuzu Motors. The company’s main aim was to produce the best commercial vehicles and introduced many lightweight vehicles, including water tankers, police personnel carriers, ambulances, buses, and trucks.
Standard
- Years: 1948 – 2006
- Headquarters: Tambaram, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
- Founder/Parent Company: Standard Motor Products
- Website: Not Available
Standard was a popular Indian automobile manufacturer that mainly specialized in producing passenger vehicles. The company was founded by Standard Motor Products and used to make variations of automobiles manufactured by the UK. It had a good name of reliability and safety and even now owning one of the brand’s vehicles is a great honor by car enthusiasts.
Some of the best vehicles introduced by the company include the Standard Herald Mark 1, Mark II Gazel, and the Vanguard. The company was involved in a case eventually leading to long-winding illegal tangles, thus resulting in it ceasing production. The factory was shut down for many years, until it was auctioned and then torn down completely.
Hyderabad Allwyn Limited
- Years: 1942 – 1995
- Headquarters: Andhra Pradesh, India
- Founder/Parent Company: Government of Andhra Pradesh
- Website: Not Available
Hyderabad Allwyn Limited was a government-owned automobile manufacturer in India. The company played a huge role in many industries, including vehicle coach building, home appliances, watches, and automotives. The company even had a division with Nissan and introduced the Cabstar, which was the most popular light commercial vehicle at that time.
The company even manufactured scooters, but during the mid 1990s due to the poor performance and inability to meet production demands all the company’s reserves were washed off. Hyderbad Allwyn Limited, eventually suffered a loss of Rs. 180 crores (1.8 billion) and this caused the government to take actions, thus resulting in the end of the Hyderabad Allwyn Limited.
Which car do you own that was manufactured in India? Are you planning to buy one? Share in the comments section below.
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We hope you are now familiar with the most popular Indian cars and the top companies in the market after reading this post. Now choosing the perfect vehicle for you that meets your style and budget should be easier.
