Back

Next

When the first wheels rolled into India

December 23, 2008

When Madras tramwaymen struck work in 1921, three trucks were used on a Mylapore-George Town route, initiating a regular bus service in the city.

In 1928, General Motors India Ltd commenced assembling trucks and cars in its factory in Bombay, the first car assembled in India rolling off the assembly line on December 4th. Two years later, Ford Motor Co of India Ltd commenced assembly of automobiles in Madras, and the next year in Bombay and Calcutta. And in 1936, Addison & Co Ltd commenced assembly of cars and trucks in Madras.

A nascent components industry also began in 1936 when Dunlop's Sahaganj factory, Calcutta, started producing tyres.

A major development in this field was when Simpson's in 1948 began manufacturing the Perkins P-6 automatic type diesel engines, backed by a campaign urging users of petrol-driven heavy vehicles to make the change-over. It also began manufacturing pistons.

Hindustan Motors Ltd, Calcutta, and Premier Automobiles Ltd, Bombay, were established in 1942 and 1944 respectively to progressively manufacture complete automobiles. Hindustan Motors, a Birla group company, began manufacturing operations in 1948 by assembling Morris Oxford cars and Bedford trucks, gradually indigenising the components. In 1957, the Morris Oxford, substantially indigenised, was re-introduced as the Hindustan Ambassador.

Image: The General Motors logo is seen at a car dealership in Toronto. | Photograph: REUTERS/Mike Cassese