Automobile

T. V. Sundram Iyengar starts a bus service in Madurai

T. V. Sundram Iyengar began Madurai's first bus service and founded the firm that grew into the TVS Group.

Ashok Motors (later Ashok Leyland) founded in Madras

Raghunandan Saran founded Ashok Motors in Madras to assemble cars; it became Ashok Leyland in 1955.

Standard Motor Products begins car production in Madras

Standard Motor Products of India completed its first locally built Standard Vanguard cars at Vandalur near Madras.

Enfield India set up to build the Bullet in Madras

Enfield India was formed with Madras Motors to assemble the Royal Enfield Bullet motorcycle in Madras.

Madras Rubber Factory incorporated to make tyres

Madras Rubber Factory, begun as a balloon maker at Tiruvottiyur, was incorporated to manufacture tyres.

Sundaram Clayton founded by the TVS group

Formed with the UK firm Clayton Dewandre to build brakes and vehicle components, Sundaram Clayton laid the groundwork for TVS Motor.

Ford enters India with plant near Chennai

Ford re-entered India through a joint venture with Mahindra and set up its main car plant at Maraimalai Nagar near Chennai.

Hyundai Motor India formed, plant at Irungattukottai

Hyundai established an Indian subsidiary and a car factory at Irungattukottai near Chennai, where the Santro, its first car, was launched in 1998.

BMW opens its car plant near Chennai

BMW Group Plant Chennai began operations, adding a luxury carmaker to the automobile cluster around the city.

Ford ends car manufacturing in India

Ford announced it would stop manufacturing in India, leading to the closure of its car plant near Chennai.