As early as 1898 the first motorcar was seen on Indian roads. For about half a century manufacture was non localized. Cars had to be imported into India. About 5000 cars were imported into India. These are truly western vintage models . They are still being bought and sold by collectors as a fascinating hobby.
Local assembly of cars began during the years between the World Wars, assembly units were set up in Bombay (Mumbai), Calcutta and Chennai.
An indigenous Indian Automobile industry began when Premier Automobiles Ltd (PAL) and Hindustan Motors (HM) began setting up plans for manufacture. Till then the automobile industries concentrated on assembly of products imported from the West in a knocked down kit.
PAL and HM have been India's major car manufacturers right from Independence. Standard Motors Products of India (SMPIL) also manufactured cars but disappeared in latter years.
