The Indian auto industry is one of the largest in the world. It is a leader in the production and export of commercial and passenger vehicles. This industry is a major contributor to the country’s manufacturing GDP (Gross Domestic Product). During the 2013-14 financial year, 21.48 million vehicles were manufactured.
We take a look at the top three commercial vehicle manufacturers in the country.
Ashok Leyland: Headquartered in Chennai, Ashok Leyland was established in the year 1948. It ranks second among commercial vehicle manufacturers in the country. It is the fourth largest producer of buses globally and ranks 16th in truck manufacturing. With 8 plants producing a variety of cars, engines and parts, the organization boasts of serving 70 million passengers daily around the world. With more than 700,000 trucks helping various industries transport materials, the leading automaker also supplies vehicles to the Indian Army.
They have partnered with major automakers to build advanced vehicles. They are currently working on a joint venture with Nissan Motor Company (Japan) to produce light commercial vehicles (LCVs), John Deere (USA) to manufacture construction equipment, and Continental AG (Germany) to produce Automotive Infotronics.
Mahindra and Mahindra: With its head office in Mumbai, Mahindra and Mahindra Limited (M&M) is another leading organization that produces a variety of commercial and personal vehicles. It is the largest producer of tractors in the world. Established in 1945, the organization was initially a steel trading company. He entered the automotive industry two years later and is credited with bringing the popular Willys Jeep to the country. Since then there has been no turning back for the car giant. It has made its presence felt in various parts of the world, including Australia, South Africa, Europe, Latin America, South Korea, and Malaysia.
MAN Trucks SA Ltd: Founded in 2006, MAN Trucks Pvt. Ltd produces cars for the roads of India, as well as for export to various parts of the world, including Asia, Africa, the CIS and more. In 2012, MAN Truck & Bus AG took over the company. Today, the organization is a leader in the production of transport tractors, mining and construction dump trucks, multi-axle trucks and much more. With their manufacturing unit in Pithampur in Madhya Pradesh, they have now also entered the bus segment.
In addition to those mentioned above, there are many other organizations such as Volvo Buses India Private Limited, Tata Motors, Hindustan Motors and Eicher Motors that produce a range of commercial vehicles. Collectively, they have contributed tremendously to the growth of the Indian auto industry.