Force Motors

2021-10-12T20:18:26Z

2405:201:D002:3E4B:2DDD:B2DA:19FA:4F22: Not a constituent of either

{{short description|Indian multinational automotive company}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2019}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Force Motors Limited
| logo = Force Motors Logo.svg
| former_name = Bajaj Tempo Motors
| type = [[Public]]
| traded_as = {{plainlist|
*{{BSE|500033}}
*{{NSE|FORCEMOT}}}}
| ISIN = INE451A01017
| industry = {{plainlist|
*[[Automotive]]
*[[Commercial Vehicles]]}}
| fate =
| predecessor = 
| successor = 
| founded = {{Start date and age|df=yes|1958}}
| founder = N.K. Firodia
| defunct = 
| hq_location_city = [[Pune]], [[Maharashtra]]
| hq_location_country = India
| area_served = [[World]]wide
| key_people = {{plainlist|
*Abhay Firodia {{Small|([[Chairman]])}}
*Prasan A. Firodia {{Small|([[Managing Director]])}}}}
| products = {{hlist|
Traveller | Trax | Gurkha | Orchard | Balwan Tractors}}
| owner = Abhay Firodia
| num_employees = 10,000+
| num_employees_year = 2021
| revenue = {{down}} {{INRConvert|2012.71|c}} (2021)
| net_income = {{negative increase}} {{INR}} -111.86 crore <br> (US$ -16 million) (2021)
| parent = Firodia Group
| website = {{URL|http://www.forcemotors.com}}
}}

'''Force Motors Ltd''' is an Indian [[multinational corporation|multinational]] [[automotive]] manufacturer headquartered in [[Pune]]. It is owned and managed by the Firodia Group.<ref>{{cite web|title=Force {{!}} The Force|url=http://www.forcemotors.com/the-force|website=www.forcemotors.com|access-date=2 January 2018|language=en}}</ref> From 1958 to 2004, the company was known as '''Bajaj Tempo Motors''' due to its origin as a joint venture between Bachraj Trading Ltd. and Germany's [[Tempo (company)|Tempo]].<ref name=WOC>{{cite book | title = World of Cars 2006·2007 | editor-first = Eligiusz | editor-last = Mazur | publisher = Media Connection Sp. z o.o. | location = Warsaw, Poland | page = 149 | year = 2006 | issn = 1734-2945 }}</ref> In 2005 the company was renamed as '''Force Motors'''.<ref name="WOC" /> Over the last five decades it has partnered with global manufacturers such as [[Daimler AG|Daimler]], [[ZF Friedrichshafen|ZF]], [[Robert Bosch GmbH|Bosch]], [[Volkswagen Group|VW]], [[Traton]] and [[MAN SE|MAN]].

Force Motors is India’s largest van maker<ref>{{cite web|title=Largest Van Maker|url=http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/earnings-business/force-motors-nowlargest-vanmakerthe-country-md-1019339.html|website=www.moneycontrol.com}}</ref> and was part of Forbes India's [[Fortune India 500]] companies list in 2016.<ref>{{cite web|title=Fortune 500 companies|url=http://www.fortuneindia.com/fortune-500/company-list/force-motors?mode=filter&year=2016&industry=14420&sort=current-rank&order=asc|website=www.fortuneindia.com|access-date=2 January 2018}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:Bajaj Tempo Tempo Trax Judo 4x4 frontleft 2008-05-11 U.jpg|thumb|[[Force Gurkha|Tempo Trax]]]]

Aside from manufacturing light transport vehicles, Force Motors also makes engines and axles, as well as a large variety of die-cast aluminium parts. The foundation of Bajaj Tempo originates with the '''Bachraj Trading Company''', which was established in 1945.<ref name=WOC/> Bachraj started assembling three-wheeled Tempo auto rickshaws and small trucks in 1951, under license from Germany. In 1958 the companies announced the creation of a joint venture, called the '''Bajaj Tempo Motors''', with 26% of the shares belonging to Tempo. In 1968 the Firodia Group took a majority stake in Bajaj Tempo.

In 1971, Tempo (Germany) passed into the hands of [[Daimler AG|Daimler-Benz]], who retained a 16.8% share in Bajaj Tempo until 2001. Daimler sold its stake in April 2001 after 43 years citing little synergy between the two companies.<ref>{{cite web |title=DAIMLER EXITS BAJAJ TEMPO |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/business/daimler-exits-bajaj-tempo/cid/932026 |website=Telegraph India |access-date=16 February 2020 |date=24 April 2001}}</ref>

The Tempo Matador was the first diesel light commercial vehicle in India. The company started production of the Hanseat 3-Wheelers in collaboration with Vidal & Sohn Tempo Werke Germany in 1958. The word ''Tempo'' (a registered trade mark of Daimler) is now generic for any small goods carrier in India.<ref>{{cite web |title=History |url=https://www.forcemotors.com/history |website=Force Motors |access-date=16 February 2020}}</ref>

[[File:Ambulance used by Narayana Health Group, India.jpg|alt=|thumb|[[Force Traveller]] used as an Ambulance]]

In 1987, Force Motors set up a new plant at Pithampur in Madhya Pradesh, for the production of Tempo Traveller.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=Chadha|first=Arjun|date=2020-03-09|title=Force Motors and Their 2020 Gameplan - Automobiles|url=https://www.mapsofindia.com/my-india/automobiles/force-motors-and-their-2020-gameplan|access-date=2021-08-12|language=en-US}}</ref> This plant was designed and built to the specification of Daimler-Benz.<ref name=":0" />

In 1997, Daimler asked it to set up a dedicated facility for assembling and testing engines for Mercedes passenger cars to be made in India.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Khandwal|first=Raghav|date=2020-07-03|title=India’s commercial vehicle markets’s major player-FORCE|url=https://www.naukrinama.com/stressbuster/indias-commercial-vehicle-marketss-major-player-force/|access-date=2021-08-12|website=Stress Buster|language=en-US}}</ref>

In 2005 the company was renamed as '''Force Motors'''.<ref name=WOC/>

Force Motors signed technology sourcing agreements in 2003 with [[MAN SE]] for which payments were made up front. On completion of the localization of the licensed technology and with the request from MAN, a joint venture was created forming MAN Force Trucks Pvt. Ltd to manufacture the full range of HCVs from 16t GVW to 49t GCW. MAN proceeded to buy out Force and MAN Trucks India was established as a separate concern in 2012.<ref>{{cite web | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161017170542/https://www.corporate.man.eu/en/press-and-media/presscenter/Ten-years-of-MAN-Truck-and-Bus-in-India-264577.html | url = https://www.corporate.man.eu/en/press-and-media/presscenter/Ten-years-of-MAN-Truck-and-Bus-in-India-264577.html | archive-date = 17 October 2016 | title = Ten years of MAN Truck & Bus in India | work = PressCenter | publisher = MAN SE | date = 16 September 2016 }}</ref>

In 2012, Force Motors launched ''Traveller 26'', a monocoque panel van that can seat 26 persons, designed entirely in-house. It had disk brakes on all four wheels and also came with safety features like ABS and EBD.<ref>{{cite web|date=17 October 2012|title=Force Motors launches world's only monocoque panel van Traveller 26|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/force-motors-launches-worlds-only-monocoque-panel-van-traveller-26/}}</ref>

In 2015, the company was awarded a contract by [[BMW]], resulting in a new facility in Chennai which produces and test engines and transmissions exclusively for all BMW cars and SUVs made in India.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.autocarindia.com/car-news/force-motors-inaugurates-plant-for-bmw-engine-assembly-396385|title=Force Motors inaugurates plant for BMW engine assembly|website=Autocar India|language=en|access-date=2020-01-02}}</ref> This plant can produce up to 20,000 engines per year.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Raghunathan |first1=Anu |title=Pune's Force Motors Makes Engines For BMW And Mercedes-Benz |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/anuraghunathan/2015/09/23/punes-force-motors-makes-engines-for-bmw-and-mercedes-benz/#4baeee372f92 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref>

A new plant was inaugurated at Chakan, Pune in June 2016.<ref name="Bureau">{{Cite web|url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/companies/force-motors-commissions-100cr-plant-for-merc/article8760636.ece|title=Force Motors commissions ₹100-cr plant for Merc|website=@businessline|language=en|access-date=2020-01-02}}</ref> This facility assembles and tests engines for all Mercedes Cars and SUVs made in India.<ref name="Bureau"/> The new plant has a current annual capacity of 20,000 engines and 20,000 front and rear axles.<ref name="Bureau"/>

Force Motors has a nationwide dealer presence. The company also exports to various countries in Africa, Latin America, SAARC and ASEAN countries, Gulf and Germany.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Force Motors Ltd.|work=Business Standard India|url=https://www.business-standard.com/company/force-motors-53/information/company-history|access-date=2021-08-12}}</ref>

==Products==
Force Motors manufactures a range of vehicles including Small Commercial Vehicles (SCV), Light Commercial Vehicles (LCV), Multi Utility Vehicles (MUV), Special Cross Country Vehicles and Agricultural Tractors.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Force {{!}} Commercial Vehicles|url=https://www.forcemotors.com/commercial-vehicles|access-date=2021-08-12|website=www.forcemotors.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Force Cars Price in India - Force Car Models 2021 Images & Reviews|url=https://www.cardekho.com/cars/Force|access-date=2021-08-12|website=CarDekho|language=en}}</ref>

'''Light Commercial vehicles'''

* [[Force Traveller|Traveller]] range of vehicles (including Traveller 26, School Bus, Ambulance, Quick Response Vehicle, Royale)

'''Small Commercial Vehicles'''

* Shaktiman 200
* Shaktiman 400

'''Multi Utility Vehicles'''

*[[Force Trax]] (including Toofan, Cruiser, Cruiser Deluxe)
* Kargo King
* Trax Delivery Van

'''Agricultural vehicles'''

* Balwan tractors
* Orchard tractors

'''Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs)'''

* [[Force One (sport utility vehicle)|Force One SUV]] (discontinued)
* [[Force Gurkha]]

==See also==
* [[List of automobile manufacturers of India]]
* [[Automotive industry in India]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{official|http://www.forcemotors.com/}}{{Commons category|Force Motors vehicles}}{{Automotive industry in India}}

[[Category:Force Motors| ]]
[[Category:Truck manufacturers of India]]
[[Category:Indian brands]]
[[Category:Indian companies established in 1958]]
[[Category:Vehicle manufacturing companies established in 1958]]
[[Category:Car brands]]
[[Category:1958 establishments in Bombay State]]
[[Category:Companies listed on the National Stock Exchange of India]]
[[Category:Companies listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange]]
[[Category:Car manufacturers of India]]
[[Category:Companies of India]]

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Force Motors