Six automakers that exited India: GM to two-wheeler makers like UM – Instances of India

Ford Motor Firm is making headlines as we speak since its final automotive rolled off the manufacturing line at its Chennai facility. Whereas this brings Ford’s automotive manufacturing in India to an finish, the corporate has acknowledged prior to now that it’ll proceed to retail some fashions within the nation as CBU fully-imported items sooner or later. Till there’s an replace on this matter, it acquired us eager about some notable car manufacturers that exited India market.
Basic Motors
Keep in mind the Chevrolet Cruz? Nonetheless thought of one of many cool and highly effective sedans to have been on sale in India, the Cruz got here from the home of Basic Motors. Regardless of having fascinating merchandise just like the Cruz, Chevy might by no means seize a sizeable share out there in India, dominated by the likes of Maruti and Hyundai. GM began operations in 1996 with Opel and Chevrolet occurred in 2003. GM’s announcement to exit the nation got here as a shock because it was only some months after GM CEO Mary Bara introduced a $1 billion funding in India.
Additionally learn:Ford’s final made-in-India automotive: White EcoSport rolls out from Chennai plant
Fiat
Maker and vendor of perky little Italian vehicles in India, Fiat was pressured to finish its operations in India in 2020 owing to low gross sales for a chronic time. Throughout its time in India, Fiat gave the nation some very fascinating vehicles like Fiat Punto, Linea, and Punto EVO amongst others.
The model acquired a superb response within the Nineteen Nineties however as competitors grew, Fiat started to lose floor. The vehicles lacked options and had been comparatively low on gas effectivity, plus the corporate didn’t deliver new fashions to the Indian market. Fiat ceased manufacturing in 2019 and stopped all operations in March 2020.
Daewoo
A really smol automotive that discovered a lot reputation in India was Daewoo Matiz. Daewoo, which additionally retailed the Cielo, entered the India market in the direction of the tip of the Nineteen Nineties. By the tip of 1999, the entire Daewoo Group bumped into monetary hassle and was pressured into promoting its automotive division, following the acquisition of its belongings by Basic Motors. GM pulled the plug on Daewoo’s presence in India in 2002. The Matiz made a comeback as Chevrolet Spark.
Opel
As aforementioned, Basic Motors started its profession in India with the Opel model. It was launched in India in 1996. The model launched vehicles like Astra between 1996 to 2003, Vectra between 2003 and 2005, and Corsa between 2003 and 2006. Basic Motors India discontinued the Opel model from India in 2006 and changed it with Chevrolet.

UM Bikes
American motorbike producer UM’s stint in India was not too lengthy and riddled with troubles. The model ceased its operations fully in October 2019 resulting from a dispute with its native three way partnership companion Lohia Auto. The motorbike firm was identified to have aspirations of taking over the likes of Royal Enfield. Nonetheless, the failure of UM Bikes in India is claimed to have led to a lack of over Rs 150 crore to its sellers.
Cleveland Bikes
A shorter lifespan than UM was that of Cleveland Bikes which introduced entry to the Indian market on the Auto Expo 2018. Recognized for his or her customisable bikes, the bike maker partnered with Laish-Madison Motorwerks and in India, the bikes got here in as CKD kits. Nonetheless, poor gross sales led to Cleveland Cyclewerks stopping its India operations in October 2019.