The history of the automobile in India actually began about 4,000 years ago when the first wheel was used for transportation. In the early 15th century, the Portuguese arrived in China and the interaction of the two cultures led to a variety of new technologies, including the creation of a wheel that turned under its own power. The industry can be broadly divided into the car manufacturing, two-wheeler manufacturing and heavy vehicle-manufacturing units.

The automobile, as it progressed, was a product of many hands, of revolutionary concepts, and of simple, almost unnoticed upgrading. India's transport network is developing at a fast pace and the automobile industry is growing too. The automobile industry also provides employment to a large section of the population. Thus the role of automobile industry cannot be overlooked in Indian Economy. All kinds of vehicles are produced by the automobile industry. It includes the manufacture of trucks, buses, passenger cars, defense vehicles, two-wheelers, etc.

The major car manufacturers in India are Hindustan Motors, Maruti Udyog, Fiat India Private Ltd., Ford India Ltd., General Motors India Pvt. Ltd., Honda Siel Cars India Ltd., Hyundai Motors India Ltd., Skoda India Private Ltd., Toyota Kirloskar Motor Ltd., to name just a few.

The two-wheeler manufacturing is dominated by companies like TVS, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (Pvt.) Ltd., Hero Honda, Yamaha, Bajaj, etc. The heavy motors like buses, trucks, defense vehicles, auto rickshaws and other multi-utility vehicles are manufactured by Tata-Telco, Ashok Leyland, Eicher Motors, Bajaj, Mahindra and Mahindra, etc.

The Indian automobile industry is now striding inroads into the rural middle class after its inroads into the urban markets and rural rich. It is trying to bring in varying products to suit requirements of different class segments of customers.