Independence Day 2022: Major Indian Auto Brands With Global Reach

Since the Indian economy opened up to global brands in the 1990s, a number of the international car, bike and commercial vehicle manufacturers, some Indian brands too have grown from small origins to becoming notable players in the global markets. Here we take a look at some of the major Indian companies that have expanded their presence to global markets through exports, acquisitions, motorsports and more.

Mahindra

Mahindra’s history dates to Indian independence. The company, completed 75 years in 2020 with the carmaker’s first car having rolled out in 1947 when it contract manufactured the Willy’s Jeep in India. Fast forward to 2022 and the company has its finger in the passenger vehicle, commercial vehicle and a number of other sectors under the Mahindra Group with markets spread across the globe. From offering its range of products in African markets, Asian markets and even Australia while it markets a range of tractors and the market-specific Roxor off-roader in North America. The company has also gone on to take over Italian firm Pininfarina rolling out its first electric hypercar while also spreading its influence in Europe even further with the opening of its new Advanced Design Centre in the UK. The company is now developing its own range of electric SUVs. The company also has assembly plants outside the country including in markets such as South Africa where it opened its facility in 2018. Mahindra is also a manufacturer in the Formula E race series backing the Mahindra Racing Formula E team.

Tata Motors

Tata Motors also remains one of India’s oldest car brands dating back to 1945 when it was founded as the Tata Engineering and Locomotive Company. The company’s first foray into the passenger vehicle space though only came in the 1990s with the Sierra and Estate which were followed by the venerable Tata Sumo and the iconic Safari. 1998 saw the company launch India’s first indigenous developed hatchback.

Tata has over the years expanded on a global level as well from opening its European Technical Centre to acquiring Jaguar Land Rover from Ford. Tata has expanded its presence to markets across the globe from other Asian countries in the subcontinent to the Middle East, Africa and Latin America. Products have ranged from its range of passenger cars to its extensive line-up of commercial vehicles ranging from small UVs such as the Ace up to its medium and heavy trucks with haulage capacity of up to 55 tonnes. The company also participated in a one-make Tata Prima Truck Racing series in India.

Royal Enfield

While Royal Enfield started its history in the early 1900s as a British Motorcycle company it was revived as an Indian firm in the 1950s and hasn’t looked back since. The company’s retro-designed range has been popular among buyers in India. While primarily known for the 350 and 500cc single offering, the brand diversified into the 650cc twin space in 2017 with the Continental GT and Interceptor with the company more recently phasing out its old 350 UCE engine for an all-new mill powering a refreshed 350cc range. Royal Enfield is present in multiple markets across the Globe including in Europe, Africa and more with offerings across the 350 to 650cc cruiser, adventure and roadster segments.

Bajaj Auto

Two-wheeler brand Bajaj also has a long history to it with its founding dating back to 1945 as a trading company commencing the import and sale of scooters in 1948. The company went into two-wheeler manufacturing in the late 1950s contract manufacturing scooters and has since then expanded to manufacturing its own range of scooters, motorcycles, electric scooters and three wheelers.

Bajaj currently exports models to over 70 countries across the world including in Africa, Central and Latin America and parts of Asia. As of last year, the company said it’s exports of two- and three-wheelers accounted for 60% of the country’s exports in the segment. Bajaj also exports its quadricycle, the Qute, to select markets as well. The company also holds a major stake in Austrian bike maker KTM via its European subsidiary Bajaj Auto International Holding and has also partnered with British firm Triumph to develop a range of mid-capacity motorcycles.

Hero MotoCorp

Founded in 1984 as a joint venture between with Japanese bike manufacturer Honda, the hero MotoCorp terminated the partnership in 2011 rebranding itself as the Hero MotoCorp from Hero Honda and expanding its reach in global markets.

Hero has established itself in markets across Africa and South and Central America including having set-up manufacturing facilities in Bangladesh and Columbia and opening a Technology centre in Germany. Aside from manufacturing and research and development, Hero also has a dedicated Motorsports Team which has participated in notable global two-wheeler rallies including the renowned Dakar rally. Hero has also been a sponsor for major sporting events ranging from Hockey to Cricket and Golf.

TVS Motor Company

Another major brand which has spread its wings in the global market is TVS which is currently one of India’s top-three two-wheeler exporters alongside Hero and Bajaj. TVS commenced manufacturing mopeds in the 1970s before entering into a 15-year-long partnership with Suzuki Motorcycles which ended in the early 2000s.

Till date, TVS offers a range of scooters, motorcycles three-wheelers with models being exported to over 80 countries across Africa, South and Central America and the Asia Pacific. The firm also set up a manufacturing facility in Indonesia and similar to Hero offers factory racing programs including the TVS Sherco factory rally team. The company has also established one-make series for its Apache RTR series motorcycles.

TVS acquired iconic British brand Norton Motorcycles in 2020 with the company announcing a major investment into the brand earlier this year to support developments in technology and electrification among others. The company also has Former JLR CEO Ralf Speth as its new Chairman.

Ashok Leyland

Another company dating back to the post-independence 1940s, Ashok Leyland too has expanded its reach to global markets though not to the extent of Tata Motors. The company currently exports its range of trucks and buses to markets in the Middle East and to India’s neighbouring countries with exports only making up a small portion of its yearly sales.

The company though has expanded into Europe through its take over of UK-based Optare bases which it renamed Switch Mobility in 2020. Under the subsidiary, the company offers single and double-decker buses in European markets with conventional diesel and all-electric powertrains. The company is also into the manufacturing of construction equipment and vehicles for the armed forces ranging from light and heavy-duty load haulers to armoured troop transporters and tracked vehicles.

Eicher Trucks and Buses

The commercial vehicle brand under Eicher Motors, the parent company to Royal Enfield, Eicher’s range of Trucks and buses are manufactured under the company’s joint venture with Volvo VE Commercial Vehicles. Like with Ashok Leyland Eicher’s exports too are limited with overall numbers in the triple digits on a monthly basis.

Note: While some may question the lack of inclusion of Maruti Suzuki, India’s largest passenger vehicle company from the list, the firm while having its origin in India is a subsidiary of the Suzuki Motor Corporation Japan.