Drive to Success: Top 10 Car Companies in India that Rule the Roads
The Indian automobile industry is one of the most important sectors in the country’s economy, contributing significantly to employment opportunities and economic growth. The industry has grown exponentially over the past few decades, with major global players investing in manufacturing facilities and R&D centers in India.
Brief overview of the automobile industry in India
The Indian automotive market is divided into four segments: passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, two-wheelers, and three-wheelers. The country is currently the fourth largest automotive market globally after China, US, and Japan.
In 2019-2020 alone, over 21 million vehicles were sold across all segments. With growing affluence and government initiatives like “Make in India,” the demand for cars is expected to continue its upward trend.
Interestingly, a large portion of these sales come from rural areas as well as smaller towns where car ownership has increased due to better financing options. While traditional gasoline-powered cars dominate sales figures at present; however, electric cars are gaining traction due to their eco-friendly nature and increasing affordability.
Importance of the industry in the Indian economy
The automotive sector contributes significantly to India’s gross domestic product (GDP), accounting for approximately 7% of GDP. It also provides employment opportunities to millions of people directly or indirectly associated with this sector.
In addition to creating jobs for manufacturers and suppliers alike, automobiles have created a vast range of ancillary businesses like dealerships, repair shops etc., generating additional income streams for many people across different socio-economic backgrounds. Furthermore, government initiatives like ‘National Automotive Testing & R&D Infrastructure Project’ (NATRiP) have helped boost investments by global manufacturers into research & development centers within India.
The industry’s impact on the economy extends beyond job creation as it serves as a key driver for exports through OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) and tier 1 suppliers. The success of the automobile industry is also closely linked to the growth of other sectors such as steel, plastics, rubber and textiles.
The Indian automotive industry has come a long way since its inception in the early 1900s. Today it has become one of the key drivers for India’s economic growth and positioned itself as a global hub for manufacturing automobiles.
Top 10 Car Companies in India
The automobile industry in India is one of the largest and fastest-growing industries in the world. The sector has been a significant contributor to the country’s economic growth, accounting for about 7.1% of India’s GDP.
Maruti Suzuki India Limited – Driving the Indian Automobile Industry Since 1981
Maruti Suzuki India Limited is a subsidiary of the Japanese automotive company Suzuki Motor Corporation. It was established in 1981 and has since been a leading player in the Indian automobile industry. Maruti Suzuki has an extensive range of cars ranging from hatchbacks like Alto, WagonR, to sedans like Dzire and Ciaz.
Their SUVs like Vitara Brezza and S-Presso have also gained immense popularity among buyers. Their keen eye on innovation led to Maruti Suzuki being one of the pioneers in electric vehicles with their WagonR EV model which is now available for commercial use as well.
As far as market share is concerned, Maruti Suzuki has consistently maintained its position as the largest car manufacturer in India with around 50% market share. In FY2019-20, they sold over 1.5 million vehicles which was higher than all other car companies put together!
Hyundai Motor India Limited – A Korean Giant Conquering Indian Roads Since 1996
Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL), founded in 1996, quickly became popular among buyers due to their international appeal at reasonable prices. Their range includes numerous models across different segments from hatchbacks like Santro & i20 to sedans like Verna and SUVs like Creta & Tucson.
In terms of features, Hyundai has always been a trendsetter in the Indian market. They were one of the first companies to introduce features like sunroofs, wireless charging, and rear AC vents in their cars.
Hyundai currently holds around a 17% market share in India, which is second only to Maruti Suzuki. In FY2019-20, they sold over 500k vehicles.
Tata Motors Limited – The Homegrown Giant Carrying India’s Aspirations Since 1945
Tata Motors Limited is India’s largest automobile company and was founded back in 1945. They have since been known for their innovative products and have made significant strides in the EV space as well. Their range includes a wide array of options from hatchbacks like Tiago & Altroz to SUVs like Nexon & Harrier.
They also recently launched their electric vehicle Tata Nexon EV which has received positive reviews from customers and critics alike for its performance and safety features. In terms of market share, Tata Motors currently holds around an 8% share with about 200k vehicles sold in FY2019-20.
Mahindra & Mahindra Limited – A Pioneer of Utility Vehicles
Mahindra & Mahindra Limited (M&M) was founded in 1945 and has since been a leading player in the utility vehicle segment. Their range includes popular models like Scorpio, Bolero, XUV300 which are all known for their rugged performance on Indian roads.
M&M also offers electric vehicles such as e-Verito & e-KUV100, They currently hold around a 6% market share with approximately 150k vehicles sold during FY2019-20.
Honda Cars India Limited – Japanese Engineering and Design meets Indian Roads
Honda Cars India Limited was established in 1995 and has since become a household name in India’s automobile industry. Their range includes popular models like City, Amaze, Jazz, and WR-V.
Honda cars are known for their sleek design and efficient engine performance. In terms of market share, Honda currently holds around a 4% share with nearly 100k vehicles sold during FY2019-20.
Toyota Kirloskar Motor Private Limited – The Global Leader on Indian Roads
Toyota Kirloskar Motor Private Limited is a subsidiary of the Japanese automotive giants Toyota Motor Corporation. They have been operating in India since 1997.
Their range includes popular models like Innova Crysta, Fortuner, Glanza which have been well-received by Indian customers for their reliability and comfort features. Market share-wise they hold around a 4% share with approximately 95k vehicles sold during FY2019-20.
Ford India Private Limited – Bringing American Muscle to Indian Roads
Ford India Private Limited was established in 1995 and has since been an important player in the Indian automobile industry. In October 2019 they announced their merger with Mahindra & Mahindra but is still operating independently as of now. Their range includes popular models like EcoSport, Figo & Aspire which are all known for their performance-oriented engines.
Ford also exports significant amounts of vehicles to other countries from its Chennai plant. In terms of market share, Ford holds around a meager 2% share with just over 50k vehicles sold during FY2019-20.
Renault-Nissan Alliance (Renault India Private Limited) – The French-Japanese Alliance
The Renault-Nissan alliance was formed in 1999 and has been operating in India since 2005. They recently announced a merger with Mitsubishi Motors as well. Their range includes popular models like Kwid, Duster & Triber which have gained a lot of popularity among Indian buyers due to their unique design and efficient engine performance.
Market share-wise they hold around a 1% share with just over 20k vehicles sold during FY2019-20. India’s automobile industry is growing at an exceptional rate and these top car companies are doing their part in contributing to this growth.
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Each company has its strengths and weaknesses, but they all cater to the diverse needs of Indian consumers. The future looks promising for the industry as more companies invest in new technologies like electric vehicles, connected cars, autonomous driving systems, etc. This competition will only lead to better quality products at reasonable prices for Indian customers.