When India gained independence in 1947, the primary challenge was feeding its vast population. The idea of owning a car, motorcycle, or scooter was a distant dream for most. However, the foundation of the auto sector had already been laid before independence. Companies like Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra, Hindustan Motors, and Premier were established in the 1940s. The biggest hurdle was convincing people to buy cars when they were struggling to meet basic needs. In the 1950s and 1960s, strict import restrictions and limited industrial infrastructure hampered the auto sector’s growth, resulting in limited vehicle availability and fewer market options. Hindustan Motors significantly impacted the Indian auto market, with the Ambassador car becoming a symbol of status, challenging foreign companies like Ford and Fiat. The Ambassador dominated the Indian market for two decades, from the 1960s to the 1980s, until Maruti entered the market and began to disrupt this dominance.
