While the genesis of Indian Automotive Industry can be traced to the 1940s, distinct growth decades started in the 1970s.
Between 1970 and 1984 cars were considered a luxury product; manufacturing was licensed, expansion was restricted; there were quantitative restriction (QR) on imports and a tariff structure designed to restrict the market. The market was dominated by six manufacturers - Telco (now Tata Motors), Ashok Leyland, Mahindra & Mahindra, Hindustan Motors, Premier Automobiles and Bajaj Auto.
The decade of 1985 to 1995 saw the entry of Maruti Udyog in the passenger car segment and Japanese manufacturers in the two wheelers and light commercial vehicle segments. Economic liberalization, started in 1991, led to the delicensing of the passenger car segment in 1993. QR on imports continued. This decade witnessed the emergence of Hero Honda as a major player in the two wheeler segment and Maruti Udyog as the market leader in the passenger car segment.
Between 1995 and 2000 several international players entered the market. Advanced technology was introduced to meet competitive pressures, and environmental and safety imperatives. Automobile companies started investing in service network to support maintenance of on-road vehicles. Auto financing started emerging as an important driver for demand.
Starting in 2000, several landmark policy changes like removal of quantitative restrictions (QR) and 100 percent FDI through automatic route were introduced. Indigenously developed (Made in India) Vehicles were introduced in the domestic market and exports were given a thrust. Auto companies started collaboration with financial firms to provide auto financing and insurance services to customers. Manufacturers also introduced systems to improve capacity utilization and adopted quality and environmental management systems. In 2003, Core-group on Automotive R&D (C.A.R.) was set up to identify priority areas for automotive R&D in India.
