Cars and Manufacturing in India: What’s Made Locally and Who’s Building Them

When you think of cars, motor vehicles designed for road transport, often powered by internal combustion or electric motors. Also known as automobiles, they are one of the most complex products made at scale in modern industry. India doesn’t just assemble them anymore—it’s building the brains inside them. From battery management systems to infotainment units, the electronics in today’s cars are increasingly made right here. This shift isn’t accidental. It’s the result of policy changes, rising domestic demand, and a growing base of local suppliers who can match global quality.

Behind every car rolling off an Indian assembly line is a network of smaller manufacturers making everything from wiring harnesses to sensors. These aren’t big-name brands you recognize—they’re the hidden engines of the automotive industry, the sector that designs, develops, manufactures, and sells motor vehicles. Companies in Tamil Nadu and Gujarat are now producing circuit boards for electric vehicle controllers. In Pune and Chennai, small factories are stamping out metal parts that used to be imported. And it’s not just steel and plastic—electronics manufacturing, the process of producing electronic components and systems like circuit boards, sensors, and control units. is now a core part of car production. The same factories making solar inverters and medical devices are now making the chips that keep modern cars running.

What’s changed? For one, the government pushed for local content rules. Then came the EV boom, which forced everyone to rethink how cars are built. Now, even global brands like Maruti, Tata, and Hyundai are shifting more production to Indian suppliers. You don’t need to import a single sensor for a mid-range electric car anymore. That’s huge. And it’s not just about cost—it’s about speed, control, and innovation. Local makers understand Indian roads, temperatures, and driving habits better than anyone else.

So when you see a new car on the road, ask yourself: what’s actually made in India? The body? Maybe. The engine? Possibly. But the electronics? Almost certainly. And that’s where the real value is being created—not in the final assembly, but in the tiny components that make the car smart, safe, and efficient. Below, you’ll find real stories from the factories, the founders, and the engineers making this shift happen. No fluff. Just what’s being built, who’s building it, and why it matters.