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When the first wheels rolled into India

December 23, 2008

In the early years of the automotive industry, more attention was paid to manufacturing cars than buses and trucks. The progressive manufacture of Tata-Mercedes-Benz diesel trucks and buses in India began in Poona in October 1954, after Tata Motors and Daimler-Benz had tied up.

And the next year Ashok Leyland began manufacture of its Comet trucks. Fords and General Motors, not confident of indigenising production, may have pulled out, but the Indian manufacturers confidently forged ahead. And the Indian Automobile Industry had by the late 1950s put down firm roots.

About the authors:

S Muthiah is a chronicler of Chennai, freelance writer, columnist, editor of two Chennai-focused journals, and author of over 20 books. K N Gopalan was company secretary of Ashok Leyland from 1956 to 1991.

Image: The moon sets behind the Mercedes Benz logo during the grand opening ceremony of the Mercedes Benz US International plant and the unveiling of the M-Class Sport Utility Vehicle in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. | Photograph: REUTERS/AUTO MERCEDES