India Automotive Market 2024–2033

Reports Description

India Automotive Market was valued at USD 121.5 Billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 247.4 Billion by 2033, at a CAGR of 7.13% during the forecast period 2024 – 2033.

Indian Automotive industry is one of the largest and fastest growing in the world. It accounts for 45% of the country’s manufacturing gross domestic product (GDP) and over 7.1 % of the country’s GDP. Automotive Industry provides direct and indirect employment to about 32 million people in India.

The Indian Government wants to increase this share to 12% of GDP between 2016 and 2026, thus creating 65 million jobs and tripling the turnover of the Indian car industry.

India Automotive Market: Growth Factors

The automotive industry in India is one of the main pillars of the economy. With strong backward and forward integration, it is a key driver of growth. Indian Automotive industry is emerging after one of the challenging periods which was dealing with global disruptions and supply chain constraints.

India’s automotive industry has witnessed a remarkable transformation with the influx of technology playing a critical role. Indian Automotive Market is mainly driven by the rising population, increasing disposable income, easy availability of credit and finance to purchase vehicles and supportive government policies.

Increasing Foreign Direct Investment in the Indian Automotive Sector is expected to drive the market growth during the forecast period. For instance, The Indian automobile sector received a cumulative equity FDI inflow of about USD 35.40 billion between April 2000 – September 2023.

Increasing production and sales of EV vehicles in India is expected to boost the growth of this sector during the forecast period.  For instance, India is on track to become the largest EV market by 2030, with a total investment opportunity of more than US$ 200 billion over the forecast period.

Under the Green Initiative programme, the Government of India is promoting and manufacturing Electric vehicles. EVs will help in reducing CO2 and curbing air pollution. These EVs consist of buses, 4 wheelers, 3 wheelers and 2 wheelers. The Fame India scheme is also started by MHI to promote electric vehicles.

The growing interest of companies in exploring the rural markets further aided the growth of the sector. The demand for two wheelers and agriculture vehicles such as tractors and other harvesting vehicles is increasing in rural India, which in turn drives the market growth.

The rapidly growing logistics and passenger transportation industries are expected to drive the demand for commercial vehicles during the forecast period. Future market growth is anticipated to be fuelled by new trends including the electrification of vehicles, particularly three-wheelers and small passenger automobiles.

India Automotive Market: Restraints

Various factors such as the high cost of automotive vehicles, lack of Nationwide directives about driving and production of automotive vehicles, high cost of automotive components, less adaption in undeveloped states, economic uncertainties and downturn, and supply chain disruptions are restraining the India Automotive market growth.

India Automotive Market: Opportunities

Supportive government policies such as the Make in India Initiative, Production Linked Incentive Scheme, and Automotive Mission Plan are expected to create lucrative opportunities for the market during the forecast period.

Central and state governments have introduced multiple supportive government policies and financial incentives to drive the growth of the automotive industry. India is well positioned to be an alternative source of supply to the global auto-component industry with 100% FDI permitted, cost advantages and incentives.

For instance, the Government of India launched, the Automotive Mission Plan for the 2016-26 tenure, this plan aims to targets 3X growth for the Indian automotive industry and establish India as an automotive manufacturing base and an export hub. The plan also seeks to outline the trajectory of advancement of the auto-ancillary ecosystem in India.

The government of India has also launched a Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme in the Automobile and Auto Components sectors. Through the PLI scheme USD 3.5 Bn has been allocated for the automobile sector for financial incentives of up to 18% to boost domestic manufacturing of advanced automotive technology products and attract investments in the automotive manufacturing value chain.

Growing production and sales of electric vehicles in India are expected to create lucrative opportunities for the market during the forecast period. For instance, Supportive government policies such as The National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP) and Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid & Electric Vehicles in India (FAME I and II) boost the production and sales of electric vehicles in India.

India Automotive Market: Segmentation Analysis

India Automotive market is segmented by vehicle type, fuel type and region. By Vehicle type, in terms of value passenger cars held the highest market share in 2023 and are expected to keep their dominance during the forecast period.

Various factors such as increasing consumer demand for passenger vehicles, rising production of passenger vehicles, growing middle class population, ongoing technological advancements and supportive government policies and incentives are boosting the sales of passenger vehicles in India.

Passenger car sales are dominated by small and midsized cars. Total passenger vehicle sales increased from 30,69,523 to 38,90,114 units. Sales of Passenger Cars also increased from 14,67,039 to 17,47,376.

Commercial vehicle is expected to hold a significant market share during the forecast period owing to growing demand from the flourishing logistics and passenger transport sectors. Government initiatives and policies influence market growth and are expected to maintain growth during the forecast period.

The overall Commercial Vehicles sales increased from 7,16,566 to 9,62,468 units. Sales of Medium and Heavy Commercial Vehicles increased from 2,40,577 to 3,59,003 units and Light Commercial Vehicles increased from 4,75,989 to 6,03,465 units, in FY-2022-23, compared to the previous year.

Sales of Three Wheelers increased from 2,61,385 to 4,88,768 units, in FY-2022-23, compared to the previous year. Two Wheelers sales increased from 1,35,70,008 to 1,58,62,087 units, in FY-2022-23, compared to the previous year.

By fuel type, the India Automotive market is segmented into diesel, petrol/gasoline, electric and CNG/LPG and others. Among all of these, the Petrol/gasoline fuel type segment held the highest market share in 2023 and is expected to keep its dominance during the forecast period.

The growing demand for petrol based vehicles due to their affordability and convenience. Petrol based cars, bikes, and commercial vehicles are less expensive when compared to diesel or electric cars, making them a more accessible option for the majority of the Indian population.

The diesel fuel segment held the second largest market share in 2023 owing to the growing demand for heavy duty commercial vehicles and tractors, buses and trucks. Diesel fuel based vehicles are popular for their heavy duty performance, long-range capability, and fuel efficiency.

These vehicles have the best durability and are mostly used for heavy duty applications like transportation of goods for longer distances.  The Electric and CNG/LPG segment is expected to grow at a significant pace during the forecast period owing to growing demand for electrical vehicles due to rising environmental concerns.

Report Scope

India Automotive Market: Regional Analysis

India Automotive market is segmented into North India, South India, East India, West India. Among all these regions, North India held a significant market share of the India Automotive Market in 2022 and is expected to grow at a significant pace during the forecast period.

Northern states such as Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, J&K, Bihar and Haryana are driving the market growth of this region. Uttar Pradesh has the highest number of vehicles in India.

West India is expected to emerge as a potential region during the forecast period. States like Maharashtra, Gujrat, and Madhya Pradesh are playing a major role in driving the growth of this region.

India Automotive Market: Recent Developments

• In Dec 2023, Mahindra & Mahindra announced the expansion of the Nashik, Maharashtra plant with an investment of Rs 3,500 crore to Rs 5,000 crore expected for enhancing SUV capacity. Through this plan company aims to double production to 85,000-90,000 units a month. Expansion phased with Nasik plant capacity to increase to 28,000 units per month initially. The expansion aims to accommodate upcoming fossil fuel and battery-operated models in both personal and commercial segments.

• In June 2023, Mercedes-Benz India, a luxury vehicle company, introduced the 7th-generation Mercedes-AMG SL 55 Roadster in India. This open-top sports car has a 4.0-litre bi-turbo V8 engine generating 476bhp. It competes with the Porsche 911 Carrera S Cabriolet. Through this new product launch, Mercedes-Benz India aims to strengthen its sports vehicle business segment and enhance its market share in the Indian market.

• In Dec 2022, Auto firm Eicher Motors Ltd, the parent company of Royal Enfield, announced a strategic collaboration in the space of electric motorcycles with Spain-based Stark Future SL. Through this collaboration, the board of Eicher Motors has approved an investment of 50 million euros for a close to 10.35% equity stake in Stark Future.

List of the prominent players in the India Automotive Market:

• AB Volvo
• ASHOK LEYLAND
• Bajaj Auto Ltd.
• BMW AG (includes BMW and MINI)
• EICHER MOTORS LIMITED
• Hero Moto Corp
• Honda Motor Co. Ltd.
• Hyundai Motor India Ltd
• Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.
• MARUTI SUZUKI INDIA LIMITED
• Mercedes-Benz India Pvt Ltd
• MG Motor India Pvt. Ltd
• Piaggio & C. SpA
• Royal Enfield
• Suzuki Motorcycle India Private Limited
• Tata Motors Limited (includes Tata and Jaguar)
• TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION.
• Volkswagen Group
• Others

These key players are adopting various growth strategies such as mergers & acquisitions, joint ventures, expansion, strategic alliances, new product launches, etc. to enhance their business operations and revenues.

The India Automotive Market is segmented as follows:

By Vehicle Types

• Two-Wheelers
• Passenger Cars
• Commercial Vehicles
• Three-Wheelers

By Fuel Type

• Diesel
• Petrol/Gasoline
• Electric
• CNG/LPG
• Others

By Passenger Vehicles 

• Sedan
• Hatchback
  • Mini Hatchback
  • Small Hatchback
• SUVs
• MUVs/MPVs

By Light Commercial Vehicles

• Less than 2 Tons
• 2 to 3.5 Tons
• 3.5 to 7.5 Tons

By Heavy Trucks 

• 7.5 to 12 Tons
• 12 to 25 Tons
• More than 25 Tons

By Buses & Coaches

• 3.5 to 7.5 Tons
• 7.5 to 12 Tons
• More than 12 Tons