The Automobile Industry in India has seen a lot of advancements. From having foreign technology and car machinery imports to mass production assembly line-ups in India, across the nation there are so many manufacturing outlets. But the real deal about car manufacturing in India was when Indian companies started launching cars from scratch processes like designing to producing within India. Some major Indian companies like Tata Motors and Mahindra have launched excellent cars in the past few years, even receiving above-average global NCAP ratings for their safety parameter. Let's see some of the top indigenous as well as most sold cars manufactured at large in India itself!
1. Tata Nexon
Undoubtedly, a car production an Indian is bound to be proud of! Nexon was launched by Tata Motors on September 21, 2017, and has sold approximately 200,000 units in 2021 alone, and is still going strong. This car got a global NCAP rating of 5 in terms of safety which makes it the first completely indigenous car in India to have gotten such a high rating, so there Is a huge upside right there! Let's talk features. Firstly, Nexon is a 5-seater with an SUV body type. Since we are already aware of the safety ratings for Nexon, let's talk about the mileage. Nexon comes with two engines: petrol and diesel, starting from an average fuel mileage of 16.4 km/pl in petrol models and an average of 22.4 km/pl in diesel engines with manual and auto-transmission. More recently, Tata also launched a BS6 compliant engine variant in Nexon. It comes loaded with features like dual airbags. 8-speaker Harman sound system, cruise control, power steering, emergency brakes assist anti-lock braking system with EBD, alloy wheels, and much more depending upon the car variants. Also because of its features like automatic rain-sensing wipers, auto headlamps, electric sunroof, and infotainment system with Apple Carplay and Android Auto, GPS navigation, starting at an average ex-showroom price of Rs.7.30 lakhs makes this car perfect for the Indian market! People have found the car interior to their liking and comfortability.
2. Tata Safari
With a whopping safety rating of 4 from 5 for both child and adult protection, this car is a 7-seater with an SUV body type. Launched as a 4WD car back in 1998, this car sticks to peoples hearts as a sturdy, affordable and premium car. It comes only with a 2-litre diesel engine, both in 6-speed manual and automatic transmission, giving a mileage of 14.08 km/pl and 16.14 km/pl respectively. The first-gen Safari comes all packed and powered with ABS and EBD safety system, rear parking sensors, and even 6 airbags in some variants. The latest Safari variant has a 7 infotainment system with Bluetooth Apple Carplay and Android Auto connectivity, via which GPS navigation can be displayed on the screen. It also has cruise control for smooth and effective speed control and in some variants GPS navigation as well. Tata Safari starts at an ex-showroom price of Rs.14.99 Lakhs and comes with variants costing up to Rs. 23. 19 lakhs!
3. Mahindra XUV300
A product by one of the two leading companies in India, Mahindra XUV 300 stays in constant competition with Tata Safari. The first factor that makes this luxury XUV a classic choice is its global NCAP safety rating of 5. Further, coming with turbo-diesel and turbo-petrol engines with 6-speed manual and automatic transmission, Mahindra XUV 300 diesel gives an average mileage of 17 km/pl, while the petrol engine gives 15 km/pl. It provides some top and first-class safety features like 7 airbags, ABS with EBD system, rear and front parking sensors, and all-4 disc brakes, and ORVMs. With even more features like front and rear fog lamps, and ISOFIX points, making it is perfect for child safety. The top class features including a smart steering system, and a reasonable ex-showroom price starting from Rs.7.95 Lakhs for the base model, makes it one of a kind indigenous production achievement of India.
4. Mahindra Thar
Thar was introduced to the Indian markets back in 2010. Having gone through many upgrades since then, this second-gen off-roader has very recently scored a global NCAP rating of 4 out of 5, with the same score for child and adult occupant protection, which is bound to come off as a reassurance for the Indian citizens. Currently, Mahindra Thar, a 4-seater, comes with both six-speed automatic and manual transmission for the convenience for the customers, both transmissions being offered in petrol as well as diesel engines. The manual petrol and diesel Thars give an average mileage of 15.2 km/pl. Its standard Thar model comes with dual airbags, ABS, and roll-cage for safety. The all-new Thar LX Opt 4-str hardtop comes with a 7 infotainment system, with GPS connectivity, and Bluetooth Apple Carplay and Android Auto connectivity. Mahindra Thar starts at an affordable ex-showroom price of Rs.12.78 Lakhs!
5. Mahindra Scorpio
Launched by one of the only two indigenous automobile companies in India, Mahindra Scorpio drove its competitors up the wall because of its value for money. Majorly for its stiff exterior that assures one's senses full safety, it has an SUV body type. A 7-seater, which makes it perfect for Indian families, gives an average mileage of 15 km/pl on a 4-cylinder diesel engine. For your general knowledge, Scorpio doesn't come in a petrol variant in India. The car has a ground clearance of 180mm. With new variant launches in 2020, the Mahindra Scorpio variants second-to-top S9 and top-spec S11 come with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system and have Apple Carplay and Android Auto connectivity. This 4WD car starts with a base model ex-showroom price of Rs.13 lakh approximately, making it one of the most affordable SUV, 4WD cars in India.
6. Honda City
Entering the markets back in 2010, Honda City has become one of the most popular choices of Indian car owners. Currently, Honda City's 5th generation is being sold in India. This middle-class luxury sedan comes with 6-speed manual transmission and has a high performance and best-in-segment engine giving an average combined mileage of 17.8 km/pl. It comes in both diesel and petrol fuel types. It provides a state-of-the-art interior with an ergonomically designed cockpit which includes an 8-speaker surround sound system, and Honda Connect and Alexa remote capability, digital speed and cruise control display. Its safety system comes with the first-in-segment airbag system which has 6 airbags, ABS with EBD and a deflation warning system from 32 ingenious features, making it one of the safest cars for Indian roads. It starts at an ex-showroom price of Rs.11.7 Lakhs.
7. Hyundai Verna
From its many variants in India, the all-new Hyundai Verna 2020 is one of the most sold cars in the Indian market right now. Coming from one of the leading countries in technological advancement, this car from the leading Korean carmaker comes with a 1.0 ltr turbocharged GDi petrol engine and a 1.5 ltr diesel engine with a 6-speed manual as well as automatic transmission. The petrol engine of Hyundai Verna gives an average mileage of 18.4 km/pl while the diesel engine gives an average mileage of 21.3 km/pl. Its safety system includes rear parking sensors, ABS with EBD, dual front airbags, ventilated front seats, wireless charger, impact sensing auto door unlock, ISOFIX and a lot more. It comes with a premium sound system having 8 speakers from Arkamys. Moreover, the car starts at an ex-showroom price of Rs.9.28 Lakhs, making it one of the most affordable cars in the market!
8. Hyundai Grand i10 Nios
Yet another people's favourite we have on our list is by Hyundai only. Having been launched in 2019, the cars still out and about in the market competing with many more of its kind. This hatchback comes with 3 engine types- one is the 1.0 ltr turbo GDi petrol engine, following the 1.2 ltr U2 CDi diesel engine, and the first one is a 1.2 ltr Kappa petrol engine giving an approx. mileage of 22 km/pl! Considering that it is being sold at an ex-showroom price starting from just Rs.5.28 lakhs, this car has become the go-to choice of many first time buyers in India. The deal always sounds good to go when you know the carmaker is popular for loading the car with ample features!
9. Honda Amaze
Despite the tough competition, Honda has stayed on the top preferences list of Indian automobile buyers. Coming with two engine options of a 1.2 ltr petrol engine and a 1.5 ltr diesel engine, and automatic transmission, Honda Amaze gives a combined mileage of approximately 20 km/pl. With Sedan as its body type, it gives tough competition to the Maruti Suzuki cars in the market. Its safety features include dual front airbags, power steering among other features. Honda Amaze is being sold starting at an ex-showroom price of Rs.6.32 Lakhs.
10. Renault Kwid
Last but certainly not least, Renault's Kwid has been withstanding the ground in the Indian market, perhaps because of its compact SUV body type. In terms of affordability, features, mileage and much more, Kwid has taken the market by a storm and continues to do so even in 2021, selling 400,000 units till November 2021. Firstly, being BS6 complaint, this car naturally becomes a preference of many. It has both automatic as well as manual transmission and comes with two types of engines, 0.8 ltr and 1.0 ltr engines, the former having a 5-speed manual gearbox and the latter having 5-speed AMT. The car safety features include electric ORVMs, 14-inch black wheels plus an 8-inch infotainment screen system that has Apple Carplay and Android Auto connectivity. The Renault Kwid starts from just Rs.411 Lakhs!
A SPECIAL MENTION FOR THE INDIGENOUS SPORTS CAR
11. DC Avanti
Ever wonder if India has its own indigenous sports car? Well, now your query stands resolved. DC Avanti, researched, designed, and developed by DC Design, founded by Dilip Chhabria, gave India its first-ever sports car. This 2 seater car is sold at a whopping price of Rs.34.17 lakhs. With a manual transmission and Renault sourced 2.0 ltr petrol type engine, DC Avanti has a power of 310hp. However, much to our disappointment, this beauty has been discontinued in India and so is out of production.
For more information download Park+ App.