New Delhi, Sept. 2025: Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has set the lofty goal of making India the world’s no.1 automobile manufacturer within five years. He stated the target is “challenging but achievable” while speaking at the International Value Summit 2025.
India’s Present Situation
The value of India’s automobile sector has seen impressive expansion, growing from ₹7.5 lakh crore in 2014 to ₹22 lakh crore now. With this increase, India now ranks third in the world. After the United States (about ₹78 lakh crore) and China (around ₹47 lakh crore).
Apart from assembling and exporting cars made in India, the minister underlined that India has already become a major global automotive hub. All of the world’s largest automakers now have operations in India. In addition to producing automobiles for our citizens, we also export them to other countries,” Gadkari said.
Primary Growth Focus Areas for India to become the World’s No.1 Automobile Manufacturer
Gadkari presented a multifaceted plan to help India get to the top:
Push for Green Mobility: Increasing the usage of flex-fuel engines, biofuels, hydrogen, and electric cars. There are already pilot projects for trucks that run on hydrogen.
- Manufacturing & Exports: India is becoming a more competitive export hub by establishing a robust network of suppliers and manufacturing items at competitive prices.
- Infrastructure Development: To reduce expenses and increase production, infrastructure development involves making investments in ports, highways, and logistical corridors.
- Skilled Workforce: Increasing R&D and utilising India’s skilled labour force to raise quality standards.
- Employment Creation: The automobile industry is still one of the biggest employers in the nation, having already produced almost 4.5 crore jobs.
Future Difficulties
Gadkari noted that difficulties still exist despite hope. India needs to obtain raw materials for batteries, quickly expand EV charging infrastructure, consolidate policy frameworks, and guarantee sustainability as manufacturing rises.
World’s No.1 Aspirations by 2030
It would mark a turning point in global automobile history if India overtook both China and the US by 2030. This would strengthen India’s position as a global mobility leader in green mobility and advanced transportation technologies. In addition to boosting exports and creating millions of jobs.
Additionally, Gadkari encouraged international collaborations in high-tech fields, including tunnel engineering, hydrogen transportation systems, precast road building, and circular economy solutions. We don’t have a shortage of resources. We generate a significant amount of revenue from our monetised highways. Furthermore, addressing the world delegates, “What we need is your cooperation, your technology, and your innovation.”
Will India be the World’s No.1 Automobile Manufacturer?
The automotive industry in India has reached a turning point and has expanded significantly over the last ten years. In addition to introducing hydrogen trucks, bio-bitumen roads, and expressways that significantly reduce travel times. The country is demonstrating its willingness to take the lead by surpassing Japan to become the third-largest market in the world. India has the potential to achieve this goal with the correct combination of innovation, infrastructure, sustainability, and policy stability.
If this ambition is fulfilled, the nation will become the largest hub for automobiles. Even a leader in environmentally friendly, future-ready transportation.
