India’s automotive scene mixes long industrial history with rapid modern growth, from family-owned workshops to large factories turning out vehicles for domestic and export markets. Whether you follow market trends, buy a car, or study industrial change, a clear list of brands makes that landscape easier to navigate.
There are 15 Indian Car Brands, ranging from Ashok Leyland to VE Commercial Vehicles (VECV). For each brand I list Founded (year), Headquarters, Ownership — you’ll find below.
Which of these brands focus on passenger cars and which on commercial vehicles?
Some brands are best known for passenger cars (compact hatchbacks, sedans, SUVs) while others specialize in trucks, buses, or commercial chassis; the Founded/Headquarters/Ownership columns help you spot a brand’s main market and history so you can quickly tell passenger-focused names from commercial-vehicle specialists.
Are these brands fully Indian-owned or part of international groups?
Ownership varies: several are independent Indian firms, many are joint ventures or subsidiaries of global automakers, and some are conglomerate divisions — check the Ownership column for each entry to see whether a brand is domestically controlled or linked to an international parent.
Indian Car Brands
| Brand | Founded (year) | Headquarters | Ownership |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tata Motors | 1945 | Mumbai, Maharashtra | Tata Group (public subsidiary) |
| Mahindra | 1945 | Mumbai, Maharashtra | Mahindra Group (public) |
| Maruti | 1981 | New Delhi, Delhi | Public; majority-owned by Suzuki Motor Corporation |
| Hindustan Motors | 1942 | Kolkata, West Bengal | Hindustan Motors Ltd (independent) |
| Premier | 1944 | Mumbai, Maharashtra | Premier Ltd (independent) |
| Ashok Leyland | 1948 | Chennai, Tamil Nadu | Hinduja Group (majority) |
| Force Motors | 1958 | Pune, Maharashtra | Force Group (independent) |
| Eicher Motors | 1948 | Gurugram, Haryana | Eicher Group (independent) |
| SML Isuzu | 1983 | New Delhi, Delhi | SML Isuzu Ltd (JV with Isuzu Japan) |
| Reva | 1994 | Bengaluru, Karnataka | Founded by Reva Electric (Maini Group); acquired by Mahindra |
| Mahindra Electric | 2008 | Bengaluru, Karnataka | Mahindra Group (subsidiary) |
| ICML | 2003 | New Delhi, Delhi | International Cars & Motors Ltd (Indian private) |
| Sipani | 1973 | Bengaluru, Karnataka | Sipani Automobiles Ltd (independent) |
| Bajaj Auto | 1945 | Pune, Maharashtra | Bajaj Group (independent) |
| VE Commercial Vehicles (VECV) | 2008 | Gurugram, Haryana | Eicher Motors & Volvo Group (JV) |
Images and Descriptions
Tata Motors
India’s largest automaker, founded as TELCO; famous for Indica, Nano, Safari and Harrier. Strong in commercial vehicles and growing EV lineup (Tigor EV), global footprint via Jaguar Land Rover acquisition. Active full-line passenger and commercial vehicle maker.
Mahindra
Started as trading firm, evolved into India’s leading SUV and utility maker with Scorpio, Bolero and XUV700. Major player in SUVs, LCVs and tractors, expanding EV offerings and exports. Active, diversified automotive and mobility group.
Maruti
Founded as Maruti Udyog, the brand transformed India’s passenger car market with the Maruti 800, Alto and Swift. Mass-market leader focusing on affordable, reliable small cars; longstanding JV origins with Suzuki. Active and dominant in passenger cars.
Hindustan Motors
Iconic Indian maker best known for the Ambassador and Contessa sedans that dominated mid-20th century India. Once a major passenger-car producer, manufacturing largely ceased and operations are effectively defunct as a mainstream carmaker.
Premier
Historic automaker that produced the Premier Padmini, Prima and small commercial models. Notable for licensed production and local adaptations in the 1960s–1990s. Passenger car production has ceased and the brand is effectively defunct in automotive manufacturing.
Ashok Leyland
Primarily a commercial vehicle giant known for trucks and buses; also markets light commercial and people-mover models like the Dost and Stile. Strong institutional presence, export footprint and active R&D in alternate fuels and electric drivetrains.
Force Motors
Started as Bajaj Tempo/Force, known for Traveller vans, Tempo three-wheelers and Gurkha SUVs. Supplier of engines, commercial vehicles and multi-purpose people movers; active in small passenger vans and light commercial segments.
Eicher Motors
Manufacturer of light and medium commercial vehicles and owner of Royal Enfield motorcycles. Runs joint ventures for commercial vehicles (VECV with Volvo Group). Notable for Eicher Pro LCVs and global motorcycle resurgence; active.
SML Isuzu
Originally Swaraj Mazda, later SML Isuzu, the company produced light trucks, minibuses and small commercial vehicles for India. Known regionally for durable light commercial models; operations have varied over time but company retains presence in LCVs.
Reva
Early Indian EV pioneer that launched the REVA city electric car in the 1990s–2000s. Acquired by Mahindra in 2010 and folded into Mahindra Electric; notable as India’s first mass-market electric car developer.
Mahindra Electric
Mahindra’s dedicated electric-vehicle arm, known for the e2o city car and e-Verito sedan. Focused on EV development, fleet solutions and commercial electric models. Active as Mahindra’s EV technology and product arm.
ICML
Small Indian automaker that produced the ICML Rhino SUV and related models targeting niche SUV buyers in the 2000s. Limited production and sales led to scale challenges; operations are effectively defunct as a mainstream car brand.
Sipani
Small Bengaluru-based automaker noted for the Sipani Dolphin and Deltic compact cars in the 1980s and early 1990s. Attempted affordable small cars for Indian market; production ceased and the marque is defunct.
Bajaj Auto
Two- and three-wheeler leader that developed the Qute (RE60) quadricycle for low-speed passenger and utility use. Though best known for motorcycles and autorickshaws, Bajaj’s Qute represents its foray into light quadricycle/passenger mobility; active company.
VE Commercial Vehicles (VECV)
Joint venture combining Eicher and Volvo India operations to produce commercial vehicles and powertrains. Markets Eicher-branded LCVs and offers technology for commercial mobility. Active in India’s light and medium commercial vehicle segments.
