The origins of India’s Auto Industry date back to the 1940s, though very little growth has occurred between that time and the early 1990s, when India entered into a period of economic liberalization that continues today. This period has spurred impressive growth in the industry, both in terms of production and exports. Like in most countries, a significant amount of car-making is occurring in the plants of established foreign auto companies, but Indian companies are growing players both domestically and globally. One company you’ve likely heard of is Tata Motors. With origins in locomotive production, Tata manufactured it’s first commercial vehicle in collaboration with Daimler-Benz back in 1954. Today it dominates India’s commercial vehicle sector and has owned the Jaguar and Land Rover brands since 2008. It is also noted for it’s Tato Nano car, a tiny car that’s the only production vehicle selling brand new for as low as $2,500. Tata has plans to sell the Nano in the US, though for a bit more than what it sells for now. Tata is may be the biggest player in the Indian automotive industry, but there are a couple of other growing Indian car-makers, to keep in mind, like Mahindra & Mahindra.