| The Indian automobile sector may be witnessing a | | | | in the region. These companies get easy access to |
| slow down since the past few months but the | | | | Nhava Sheva (JNPT Port) for exporting their cars |
| overall growth of the industry cannot be denied. | | | | from India. |
| Various major auto giants from all around the world | | | | Similarly, in the southern part of India, yet another |
| are flocking down to the booming Indian auto market | | | | area around Chennai is shaping up as the auto |
| with huge investments to lure the Indian customers | | | | makers favourite destination. India's second largest |
| and occupy a greater market share in the | | | | car manufacturer, Hyundai Motors India Limited, |
| sub-continent. | | | | already marks its presence in the region with its |
| Chakan near Pune is coming out to be the major | | | | manufacturing plant at Irungattukottai, 30 kms away |
| autobahn in India and so is Chennai, down south. Pune | | | | from Chennai. Its second plant is also located |
| has witnessed several changes as major industries | | | | adjacent to its first plant. It uses Chennai port to |
| set their foot slowly in and around the city. First, it | | | | cater to its exports demand for its small cars from |
| was called as Pensioner's Paradise, and then it saw | | | | around the world. |
| engineering industries setting their foothold. Next | | | | The scenario near Chennai -Sriperumbudur belt is also |
| came the IT industry followed by the education | | | | gaining pace rapidly. The fast and furious pace would |
| institutes. Now, the Talegaon-Chakan-Ranjangaon belt | | | | soon churn out nearly 1.28 million cars from the |
| near Pune is shaping up as the next destination for | | | | factories around the city in next two years. Ford is |
| major auto makers. Thirty years after Tata Motors | | | | yet another big daddy after Hyundai Motors in the |
| and Bajaj had set their foot in Chakan, this area now | | | | region. Renault-Nissan has also set up its |
| witnesses nearly every major auto player in its arena | | | | manufacturing facility at Oragodam (30 km SW from |
| - Volkswagen, General Motors, DaimlerChrysler, Fiat, | | | | Chennai). Next to make its debut in Oragadam is |
| Mahindra and Mahindra, and various auto component | | | | Global Automotive Research Centre which would be |
| makers from the auto industry. | | | | worth Rs. 470 crore and would meet the world class |
| Maharashtra government has really put serious | | | | testing requirements of auto companies. |
| efforts in promoting the whole Chakan belt for the | | | | Auto component majors also line up in the region |
| auto industry. Pune-Mumbai express highway has | | | | with UK-based Caparo Group and Apollo Tyres trying |
| proven to be the important missing link that was | | | | to gain foothold. MRF Tyres, Sundaram Clayton, |
| preventing its growth. The express highway has | | | | Sundaram Fasteners already mark their presence in |
| offered the best connectivity to the region with the | | | | Chennai. |
| Mumbai port as well as with the rest of the nation. | | | | It remains to be seen how these regions turn the |
| After the changing economic and auto scenarios in | | | | face of quiet and conservative cities like Pune and |
| China and India, auto makers have taken India | | | | Chennai. |
| seriously as their next major destination. Hyundai and | | | | Finally, of course, Tata's foray into Gujarat with the |
| Maruti have already made India as their | | | | Nano plant is bound to set into effect a revolution |
| manufacturing and exports hub for their small car | | | | there too. One can imagine the network effects that |
| facilities. Although, neither of the companies are | | | | the production will bring with it. Could that be the real |
| present in Maharashtra, other small car manufacturers | | | | next Detroit? |
| like VW, GM, Bajaj Renault are spreading their wings | | | | |