75 Vehicles That Shaped India's Automotive Industry
India's automotive landscape has always been rich, since the early 20th century. But it's independent India whose automotive development has skyrocketed, from a barren landscape dotted with colonial relics to a true manufacturing powerhouse known for rugged, fuel-efficient vehicles and now heavy-duty luxury cars. As one of the key markets of the 21st century, the Indian auto market has witnessed a steady and rapid pace of development, and the best is yet to come. Here are 75 legendary vehicles that defined the country's automotive sector and mobility as we know it.
Mahindra CJ (1947) – In hindsight, only a military vehicle was capable of taming India's unpaved topography.The original Jeep: The CJ proved itself and became the forerunner of the modern SUV.
Hindustan Ambassador (1957) - The Morris Oxford was an icon of British motoring in the 1950s and one of the most enduring vestiges of the British Empire. As a mobilizer of India's political class, it was a symbol of upward mobility, but it also became something of a leveller, serving as a family car, company car, and city taxi, among other things.
Shaktiman/ MAN 415 (1959) - Another truly iconic lifesaver of the Indian Army, the MAN 415 or Shaktiman was another product of the Jabalpur Ordnance Factory and a stalwart ally, standing for over three decades as the most widely used medium Capacity served replaced by the Ashok Leyland stallion.
Shaktiman.
Premier Padmini (1964) - The Premier Padmini brought a bit of Italian flair to India's dying car market. This rear-shift four-seater has truly proven itself like no other car, even surviving the Ambassador as Mumbai's ubiquitous Kaali Peeli taxi. Hugely popular with private collectors, Padmini's appeal remains timeless.
Nissan Jonga (1969) – A World War relic turned military ally. The 1960s Nissan Patrol was renamed the JONGA after local manufacture began at an arms factory in Jabalpur. The Jonga (Jabalpur Gun Carriage and Artillery Assembly) continued in production (under license from Nissan) until 1999 before the Mahindra MM540 retired it from military fleets.Bajaj Chetak (1972) – Many believe it was the Maruti 800 that rocked the nation, but that accolade actually belongs to the Bajaj Chetak. The creation and most enduring legacy of the late Rahul Bajaj.
Bajaj Chetak Royal Enfield Bullet (1977) – Another holdover from the Empire
the Enfield Bullet was something of a lifeline in post-independence India, serving in the army, on private farms and just about anywhere its circular case showed could. a. Although originally developed for British back roads, the Bullet became a standard general purpose motorcycle in India with a pedigree few other brands have. Yezdi Roadking (1978) - Before the arrival of the Japanese giants, it was a humble Czech Jawa legend named Yezdi who was the most reliable and tough speedster. RELATED STORIES SEE ALL Yamaha RD350 (1983) – The Yamaha RD350 laid the foundation for high-performance motorcycling in a performance-hungry market like India. Its two-stroke parallel twin engine was incredibly refined for its time.Unfortunately, it turned out to be overly complicated and not entirely economical. Still, to this day, the RD350 remains a forerunner of all types of performance bikes in India. Maruti Suzuki 800 (1983) - The first of many, the original 800 started a revolution. Reliable and efficient: it opened the doors of the market to Japanese engineering and there was no turning back. Maruti 800.(Image: Wikimedia Commons) Maruti Omni (1984) - For most a microvan, for us a station wagon, no vehicle had the loading capacity of the beefy little Omni. As the first and most reliable means of transporting cargo, the Omni was up for anything. Hindustan Motors Contessa (1984) – Misidentified as a muscle car, the Contessa nonetheless possessed the swagger of large American sedans at a time when few other cars did. A good stopgap on the way to European luxury. Kinetic Honda (1984) - Born out of a joint venture between Kinetic and Honda, the aptly named Kinetic Honda was a two-stroke time capsule with technology far ahead of its time.That explains his almost two-decade career. Maruti Suzuki Gypsy (1985) - The Gypsy may not have been the first SUV, but it was certainly the most elegant. A Suzuki Jimny built to Indian specifications, its cool factor, rugged masculinity and shuddering handling was something every kid of the '90s aspired to. Maruti Suzuki Gypsy (Image: Wikimedia Commons) Hero Honda CD100 (1985): the The first true commuter motorcycle that has remained basically unchanged, the CD100 was a true workhorse. Its ability to withstand abuse and fuel economy made it a masterpiece of Japanese engineering that continues to sweep the outback today.Force Traveler (1) – Affectionately nicknamed the Tempo Traveler, this mid-size bus from Force Motors has traveled the country endlessly since its release in 1988. Hero Puch (1988) - The Puch made mopeds cool. A feat that has not been repeated since. This 60cc two-stroke could also be a lot of fun.Puch hero. (Image: Wikimedia Commons) Bajaj Sunny (1990) - India's first gender-neutral youth mobilizer, the Sunny, was modern, practical and cheap. The first "Scooty" even allowed 16-year-olds to ride it, as long as they had a gearless scooter driver's license. Tata Sierra (1991) - What Land Rovers are to the current generation, the Tata Sierra was to the kids of the '90s. A recreation of 1970s American SUV design, the Sierra was unconventional, wild and so cool.LML Vespa Select (1993) – Born out of a joint venture between India's Lohia Machinery Limited (LML) and Italy's Piaggio, the LML Vespa brought a much-needed Italian touch to the understated space of two wheels. That 150cc two-stroke engine didn't spoil its prospects either. Maruti Suzuki Zen (1993) – By throwing a lightweight aluminum engine into the mix, the Zen unlocked the performance potential of a Maruti Suzuki family hatch. An enthusiast favorite to this day. Maruti Suzuki Esteem (1994) - A royal blue sedan to rule them all.At least for most of the '90s. More powerful than the 800, slimmer and also more spacious, it started the sedan craze with a 1.3 liter engine and traditional Japanese design.
Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W124). Hero Honda Splendor (1994) – As the successor to the CD100, the Hero Honda Splendor continued the mission of its predecessor with remarkable determination.
Mitsubishi Pajero (1994) - What did movie stars, real estate moguls and prominent politicians all have in common? Everyone wanted to be seen stepping out of the rugged Mitsubishi Pajero rally car. Once it was THE SUV in its own right, synonymous with power, sophistication and style.Although subsequent models attempted to regain the original's popularity, none came close to the Japanese automaker closing shop in the country for good. Opel Astra (1996) - Opel's run in India may have been short-lived, but it managed to briefly enrich India's premium sedan space with sharp European styling cues and outstanding performance. Honda City (1997) – With Honda establishing itself as India's leading sedan manufacturer, the City proved that Japanese cars, hitherto known for their frugality and robustness, can also be fun. Despite its missteps, the brand remains one of the best-selling sedans in the country. Maruti Suzuki Baleno (1998) – The first premium offering from a small car manufacturer, the Baleno proved that Maruti Suzuki had what it takes to make sophisticated products that are fun to drive.Hero Honda CBZ (1998) – Before the Bajaj Pulsar came out, there was only one favorite among beginners and that was the Hero Honda CBZ. As famous for its style as it is for its performance, the CBZ briefly stood without equal. Hero Honda CBZ. (Image: Wikimedia Commons) Mitsubishi Lancer (1998) - After a string of international rally victories, the Lancer name held considerable weight in the 1990s, prompting Mitsubishi to offer its first Gallant-based sedan to bear the Lancer name. It worked because the Lancer was a marked improvement over models like the Esteem in terms of performance and luxury.Hyundai Santro (1998) - The original big guy of the group. The Santro made Hyundai a household name in a country where Maruti Suzuki had a monopoly on the small car market. Things were never the same. Tata Safari (1998) - No Tata SUV, not even the mighty Sumo, made such a big impression as the Safari. It was the brand's first full-size 7-seater SUV with relative luxury and off-road capabilities at a reasonable price.Tata Indica (1998) – It was no small feat for a homegrown auto to take on the Japanese giants, but the mighty Indica pulled it off. Although its quality is not the best, it was the first sign of Indian manufacturing capabilities and a major evolutionary leap for the Tata Motors brand. Daewoo Matiz (1998) - In the relatively unsophisticated savings hatches of the late '90s, the Matiz stood out as a truly innovative piece of design: compact on the outside, roomy on the inside. An instant hit. San Storm (1998) The forgotten San Storm is no longer allowed to play today.But sometime in the '90s he called it an admirable attempt at an inexpensive sports car. French design, lightweight body, the San Storm had potential that ultimately went unfulfilled. Maruti Suzuki WagonR (1999) – Maruti's answer to the Santro big boy, the WagonR has stood the test of time in a way that its main competitor has not. Still one of the best-selling cars in the country for more than two decades, its combination of space and ease of use is hard to beat. Ford Ikon (1999) - The car that started Ford's history in India.Unlike the premium Ford Escort, the Ikon sold in large numbers and remained a favorite with the enthusiast community. Elegant, quirky and fast. Really worth its name.
Toyota Qualis (2000) - The Qualis was the first SUV to feature Toyota's nearly indestructible build quality. He proved that on overland or long-distance trips, you were better off hauling 7+ people across rough, unforgiving terrain in a Toyota. Skoda Octavia (2001): The Octavia took the Indian luxury car market by storm, establishing Skoda as the undisputed leader in executive luxury sedans yet to be dethroned. Reva (2001) – The fact that the world's first mass-market electric car was an economical runabout developed in India is a testament to the country's problem-solving abilities. There has never been a more humble automotive icon. Bajaj Pulsar 180 (2001) – The Pulsar single-handedly started a revolution by bringing a level of performance and economy to the motorcycle field that India had never seen before.As a right of passage for a generation of young riders, its introduction heralded a new era in motorcycling. Bajaj Eliminator (2001) – India's first locally manufactured cruiser motorcycle, the Eliminator came with a Kawasaki engine before morphing into the more affordable Bajaj Avenger, which continues to sell in large numbers today. Honda Activa (2001): As the two-decade-old manual scooters were showing their age, Honda's motorcycle-manufacturing subsidiary stepped in with the automatic Activa, whose nearly indestructible construction, fuel economy, and ease of use changed the vehicle on two wheels forever and shut it down an instant and enduring bestseller. The Activa's virtually indestructible construction, fuel economy and ease of use changed the two-wheeler market forever. Ford Mondeo (2002) – A poor man's Mercedes-Benz C-Class, the Mondeo brought European levels of refinement and performance to India, while significantly upgrading the Blue Oval halo.Hero Honda Karizma (2003) - The Pulsar might have given us a taste of performance motorcycling, but it was the Karizma that offered a handful of it. The Honda-derived 250cc engine was a gem and the semi-faired styling made the Karizma the first middleweight after the RD350. Royal Enfield Thunderbird (2003) – A major milestone in the history of the comeback of the rebranded Royal Enfield. The Thunderbird was the brand's first step in diversifying its portfolio, offering a cruiser in a line with different types of the classic standard is the Bullet. Mahindra Scorpio (2003) – The Scorpio rebranded Mahindra from an agricultural vehicle maker to a feat of urban SUV manufacturing. The rest, as they say, is history.
Mahindra Scorpio. Ford EcoSport (2003) - Arguably Ford India's greatest success and enduring legacy, the EcoSport was one of the few crossovers to turn market preferences in its favor. Its powerful 1-litre turbo petrol engine showed that displacement is no obstacle to a lively engine.
Toyota Innova (2005) - Three-row seats, powerful diesel power and the ability to drive thousands of kilometers without rattling. The Toyota Innova single-handedly wrote the rulebook for minivans in the country.Everything that followed after that
was just an enlarged or reduced version. Maruti Suzuki Swift (2005) – The 2005 Swift pushed the reset button on Maruti's antiquated hatchback-making formula. Instead, we had a car that also sold internationally, with an eye-catching design and interior that made it an instant bestseller. Audi Q7 (2005) – Arguably the best-selling Audi in India, the once-selling first-generation Q7 established the brand as a premium automaker. The Q7 rocked rivals like Merc and BMW, whose SUV offerings weren't as conspicuous at the time.Honda Civic (2006) - Adequate V-TEC performance, a digital speedometer: There were many things that made the Honda Civic an instant hit, not the least of which was its absolutely stunning design. TVS Apache (2006) - The Apache was TVS's refutation to Pulsar, at a time when the market was opening up to two-wheeled performance. A bitter rivalry ensued, producing many equally powerful iterations on both sides. The winner? The consumer.BMW 3 Series (2007) - The first BMW 3 Series in India showed the difference that true Bavarian performance can make. The BMW 3 Series from 2007 was a classic of the future straight away and proved that luxury and driving pleasure are not mutually exclusive. Tata Nano (2008) - The ill-fated Tata Nano is important precisely because it showed that a small, frugal mass market is downright desirable in India. His failure changed the course of the brand.
Ratan Tata at the Tata Nano launch event Tata Marcopolo (2008)
– The MarcoPolo brought a measure of comfort to the public transport field and was one of the few locally made buses whose sophistication and comfort were the order of the day were comparable to those of BharatBenz and Volvo. Toyota Fortuner (2009): The undisputed king of the road, the Fortuner's confident presence on the road and Toyota's tank-like build quality have kept it at the forefront of Toyota's premium SUVs for nearly two decades. VW Polo (2010) - The chances of a German automaker penetrating India's embattled hatchback segment were slim, but despite its relatively high price, the Polo managed to become a huge success thanks to its unrivaled performance and German-made quality. Mahindra Thar (2010) - With the robust, smooth-driving XUV and Scorpio SUVs, Mahindra made room for a niche product suited to off-road adventurers. Twelve years later, it's one of their best-selling cars and a truly serious off-roader.Mahindra XUV500 (2011) - From the gentrified but rugged Scorpio to the smooth-driving XUV500 - Mahindra's transformation from a maker of agricultural off-roaders to sophisticated, tech-heavy family SUVs was complete when the XUV500 was launched. Renault Duster (2012) – Originally manufactured by Romanian car brand
Dacia, owned by Renault, the Duster proved it had the right attributes to enduringly lure consumers towards compact SUVs: it was rugged, strongly built and built for designed to withstand considerable stress. Hyundai Creta (2015) - The Creta is the benchmark by which Hyundai India can measure how far it has come since the days of the Santro. As one of the best-selling vehicles in the country, it established urban crossover SUVs as the usual. DC Avanti (2015) – Calling it India's first indigenous sports car might be an exaggeration, but the inaugural offering from DC-turned-designer-customizer was an admirable attempt to create a local sports car with a powerful engine: Renault Megane .Hero Impulse (2016) – After splitting from Honda, Hero Motocorp soon realized that the best motorcycle for Indian roads was an off-road ADV. The Impulse remains a significant milestone for the local two-wheeler manufacturer. Jeep Compass (2017) - It takes a special car to turn the tide of a struggling American giant in India. And Compass did just that, ensuring that Jeep stayed the course and emerged as a heavyweight in India, unlike its sister company Fiat. Lamborghini Urus (2018) – As India's best-selling Lamborghini, the sales success of the Urus is a testament to the market potential for high-performance luxury sports cars, especially when they offer the added benefits of a thoroughbred SUV.Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 (2018) – The arrival of RE's 650 twins marked a coming of age for Royal Enfield, which had relied on, and suffered from, its old single-cylinder blocks for far too long. The new parallel twin unit had no hiccups and all the charm and made Royal Enfield an overnight international sensation.
Royal Enfield Interceptor 650.
Tata Nexon EV (2020) – The Nexon EV will go down in history as the car that started the EV craze in a country where the odds were slim. Ather 450X (2020): Ather's flagship might not be the fastest or best-selling electric scooter out there. But its reliability and consistency make it India's top e-scooter export by far. Mercedes-Benz GLC43 AMG 4Matic (2020) Although not sold in large numbers, the GLC34 AMG makes it onto this list simply because it has the distinction of being the first locally assembled AMG in the country, and as such is a huge vote of confidence. on the country's ability to build high-performance cars.Ola S1 Pro (2021) – The Ola S1 Pro may have had some issues, but Ola's sheer operational size is unprecedented in the country's production history. This fast e-scooter gets a place for that alone. BMW M340i (2021) - Not exactly an "M" car, but as far as locally assembled Beemers go, this is the fastest. Tata Punch (2021) – The first car to bring the five-star GlobalNCAP level of safety to the subcompact SUV space, the Tata Punch's best-selling status is a testament to the fact that customers are now actively preferring cars with more insurance than buy cheaper. Volvo XC40 Recharge (2022) – The country's first locally assembled luxury EV, the XC40 Recharge has shown that the demand for long-range, high-performance EVs will never be an issue if the price is reasonable.Supercharging the Volvo XC40. Honda City Hybrid (2022): Almost two and a half decades after its launch, the City sub-brand continues to evolve, this time with a hybrid-electric powertrain serving as a pit stop on the road to electrification.rfect.
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