Abstract

After economic reforms took place in India in 1991, it is only in the mid-1990s, that the automotive industry started opening up. Thus, the mid-1990s are characterized by the entry of global automotive manufacturers through joint ventures in India. Till the 1990s, the automotive industry in India was primarily dominated by Maruti Suzuki, Tata Motors, Hindustan Motors and Premier Padmini in the passenger car segment. Ashok Leyland, Tata Motors and Mahindra & Mahindra dominated the commercial vehicle segment while Bajaj Auto dominated the two-wheeler segment. Eventually multinational automakers, such as, though not limited to, Suzuki and Toyota of Japan and Hyundai of South Korea, were allowed to invest in the Indian market ultimately leading to the establishment of an automotive industry in India. A number of foreign firms also initiated joint ventures with Indian companies. The study is cover evolution and facts about Indian automobile industry.