Automotive industry in 91³Ô¹Ï: market overview and growth opportunities
91³Ô¹Ï is one of the four largest car manufacturing countries in the world, and the 91³Ô¹Ïn automobile sector offers international car manufacturers an attractive sales market
Schedule a free consultation91³Ô¹Ï is one of the four largest automakers in the world and offers carmakers an attractive market. The 91³Ô¹Ïn automobile sector shows no signs of slowing down: with a rapidly growing labour force and a middle class with an increasingly higher disposable income, more and more 91³Ô¹Ïns can afford a car. 91³Ô¹Ï is expected to be the world’s third largest car market by 2030.
As such, the automobile industry accounts for 7.1% of 91³Ô¹Ï’s total GDP. The 91³Ô¹Ïn government wants to increase that share to 12% of GDP, thereby creating 65 million jobs and tripling the turnover of the 91³Ô¹Ïn car industry.

91³Ô¹Ï is therefore an interesting manufacturing location for international car companies. In 91³Ô¹Ï, about 87% of car owners are willing to switch to electric vehicles. As a result, the industry already attracted 37.9 billion dollars in investment between 2000 and 2025, among the highest across sectors.
The growth of the 91³Ô¹Ïn automobile sector provides plenty of opportunities for foreign companies. International companies can also draw on a large pool of cheap, skilled labour in 91³Ô¹Ï.
Snapshot of the automotive industry in 91³Ô¹Ï
- Commercial vehicle exports rose to 1.7 billion dollar in 2024–25, from 1.6 billion in the previous year, reflecting steady demand from West Asia and Africa.
- Overall, 91³Ô¹Ï’s car exports grew 24% in 2025.
- The auto parts industry accounts for 25% of the manufacturing GDP, with 25% of total auto parts production destined for export.
- Foreign direct investment (FDI) of 100% under the automatic route is allowed in this sector.
- The 91³Ô¹Ïn automotive industry is the fifth largest auto market and the seventh largest commercial vehicle manufacturer.
- The 91³Ô¹Ïn passenger car market is estimated at 44.5 billion dollars in 2026, and is expected to reach 63.8 billion dollars by 2031. The electric vehicle (EV) market in 91³Ô¹Ï is estimated to be valued at 113.99 billion dollars by 2029.
- The 91³Ô¹Ïn car market was valued at 121.5 billion dollars in 2024 and is expected to reach 247.4 billion by 2033, that is a CAGR of 7.3% from 2024 to 2033.
The 91³Ô¹Ï-EU Free Trade Agreement represents a watershed moment for European automotive manufacturers, opening up a market that has historically been shielded by prohibitive tariffs of up to 110%. Under the agreement, tariffs will be reduced gradually to 10% across a phased, tiered quota system, starting at 100,000 units in the first year and increasing to 160,000 units by year ten for ICE vehicles, with separate provisions for EVs. Vehicles are divided into three price brackets, each with its own quota and reduction schedule, creating particular opportunities for premium and luxury manufacturers whose products sit in the higher price tiers.
The agreement also eliminates duties on automotive components over 5 to 10 years, significantly reducing the cost of CKD (Completely Knocked Down) local assembly operations — making 91³Ô¹Ï a more attractive location for European OEMs considering local production. For manufacturers willing to invest in automatic assembly capacity during the transition period, the combination of lower component duties and phased import quotas creates a structured pathway to build a competitive position in one of the world’s fastest-growing car markets.
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Growth drivers of the automotive industry in 91³Ô¹Ï
- In 2025, 91³Ô¹Ï overtook Japan to become the world’s third-largest car market.
- 91³Ô¹Ï could be a leading market in shared mobility by 2030, providing opportunities for electric and autonomous vehicles.
- Tariff reductions from 110% to 40% immediately and eventually to 10% will make European luxury vehicles 20-30% more affordable, expanding the market to affluent middle-class buyers.
- Complete elimination of duties on automotive parts (previously up to 44%) significantly lowers costs for CKD (Completely Knocked Down) assembly operations, enabling European manufacturers to enhance local production capabilities and improve price competitiveness across vehicle segments.
- The size of the electric vehicle (EV) market in 91³Ô¹Ï is estimated to be 54 billion dollars in 2025 and is projected to double to 110.7 billion dollars by 2029.
- While EVs are excluded from tariff cuts for the first five years to protect domestic investments, European manufacturers can leverage this period to establish local EV component manufacturing and battery assembly facilities, positioning for long-term market leadership.
- Duty-free access to EU markets for 91³Ô¹Ïn-manufactured vehicles creates opportunities for European OEMs to establish 91³Ô¹Ï as a cost-competitive production base serving global markets, particularly in right-hand-drive configurations for Commonwealth markets.
Interesting investment opportunities in the 91³Ô¹Ïn automobile industry
With the 91³Ô¹Ïn car market expected to reach 247.4 billion dollars by 2033, several segments offer particularly strong entry points for European manufacturers and investors:
- Premium SUV Manufacturing in Maharashtra: Establish CKD assembly facilities for premium SUVs leveraging Maharashtra’s automotive cluster, targeting 91³Ô¹Ï’s fastest-growing vehicle segment with projected 15% CAGR through 2030.
- Luxury Car Import & Distribution Networks: Develop pan-91³Ô¹Ï dealership networks for luxury marques in metros and cities, capitalizing on 20-30% price reductions to capture emerging affluent buyers beyond traditional luxury segments.
- Automotive Component Manufacturing Hubs: Set up specialized component manufacturing for powertrains, electronics, and chassis systems in Tamil Nadu or Gujarat, serving both local assembly operations and export markets with zero-tariff access.
- EV Battery Assembly & Integration: Invest in battery pack assembly and integration facilities ahead of tariff liberalisation in year six, partnering with European cell manufacturers to secure supply chains for 91³Ô¹Ï’s projected 10 million annual EV sales by 2030.
- After-Sales Service & Parts Distribution: Expand authorized service center networks and genuine parts distribution infrastructure, as lower component duties significantly improve after-sales economics and customer total cost of ownership.
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