The Indian automobile industry has received help from multiple global brands.
India gained its independence in 1947, and within a short time, the country began to focus on its automobile industry, a sector that is now considered the largest in the world. However, not enough credit is given to foreign players who helped the Indian automobile industry stand on its feet.
In this article of the ‘India On Wheels’ series, we take a look at foreign cars and brands that helped India take the baby steps.
Even before India gained its freedom, some local companies realised that the automobile sector was the future. Therefore, even though they did not know how to build a car on their own, they knew how to assemble one. Thus, companies like Mahindra & Mohammed, Hindustan Motors, etc., had set up their assembly plants.
It started with the CJ3A, a locally assembled Jeep by Mahindra, which Willys initially designed. Mahindra had the license to build them in India. Jeep entered India as early as 1949.
According to Morris 10, the first car to emerge from the Hindustan Motors plant in Uttarpara, West Bengal, was the Hindustan 10. The next was the Baby Hindustan, based on the Morris Minor, and then the Landmaster on the Oxford Series II. If Morris had not granted the exclusive license for these cars to be rebadged in India, Hindustan Motors would probably not have attained a legendary status. Even the HM Contessa was a rebadged version of the Vauxhall VX.
Another iconic car seller, Premier Automobile Limited, gained status in India for the licenses it acquired from Fiat. It was these licenses that allowed Premier to manufacture Fiat 1100 and several other models in India and popularise them. Imagine the history of Indian automobiles without these cars; where would we be?
(Credit- Carwale)
In 1983, Maruti Udyog Limited joined with Suzuki to produce India’s first indigenous car. The car was a Maruti 800, a model based on the Suzuki Alto SS80, which was also known as the Suzuki Fronte.
(Credit- ABP)
Launched in 1998, the Honda City can be dubbed the father of the Indian sedan car segment. The City set a benchmark in the Indian car industry and has ruled the segment for 27 years. Today, it has taken a hit due to the Indian mindset shifting towards compact SUVs and SUVs.
(Credit- Expat Auto)
Before the Toyota Innova reached India, we had the Sumo, a passenger car. However, it wasn’t comfortable, and therefore, Toyota saw a gap—they launched the Innova, a passenger car with three rows that offered adequate space and cabin features. Even today, the Innova remains the go-to MPV for Indians, whether for families or corporate giants looking to transport their clients.
( Credit- Drive)
The Ford EcoSport can be considered India’s first compact SUV that popularised the segment in India. The car is no longer sold, as Ford ceased its operation in India, but in the used car market, the Ecosport has a massive craze. Today, if the Indian roads are full of compact SUVs, say thanks to the EcoSport, and try to get one from the second-hand market.
