From 3 Wheeled Hanseat To Traveller – The Tale Of Force Motors

One of the finest makers of commercial vehicles in India, Force Motors has its origins dating back to 1950s. The story of this Indian based automobile maker comprises of many collaborations which led to technological exchange with some premium firms from across the world that have enriched Force Motors India. The company which started as a commercial vehicle manufacturer during 1950s has pioneered in the segment and has also jumped towards passenger vehicle segment since 2011. It started off as a small firm under the administration of a visionary named N.K. Firodia who was the founder of this company. The company today has over 8000 employees and is currently led by Prasan Firodia, the grandson of N.K.Firodia, who is currently the Managing Director of Force Motors India. 

Force Motors started off business in 1958 when a plant was opened in Goregaon, Mumbai to manufacture Hanseat. This was a three wheeled car which had gained popularity in European countries. Force Motors brought this product to India through collaborations with Vidal and Sohn Tempo Werke, a German automobile company. The business was named as Firodia Tempo Ltd during those times. This collaboration further led to introduction of Tempo and Matador in India which was very popular between 1960s and 1980s. All vehicles manufactured by the company were sold with the badge name Tempo during this period.

The partnership had many phases because Vidal and Sohn Tempo Werke saw different parent companies as owners during 1950s and 1970s. In 1971, this Indian business came in contact with Daimler Benz AG when Tempo was taken over by the auto major. The firm was able to extend its roots deeper into automobile crafting when it gained license from its partner Daimler Benz AG to manufacture diesel engines in 1982. These are four cylinder inline engines which were used in vehicles manufactured by the company. The manufacturing of these engines not only led to technological strengthening of Force motors (then Bajaj Tempo) but also opened doors for new opportunities with partnership firm. The company currently assembles diesel engines for Mercedes Benz vehicles which are manufactured in India. This partnership also brought in revolutionary designs like Traveler and Trax to India. The Traveler which is a people carrier was designed based on T1 models of Mercedes Benz.

Force Motors broke out of the shell of producing utility and commercial vehicle when it manufactured vehicles which were used in agriculture. The company joined hands with Robert Bosch for the design of hydraulic parts of their tractor. As a result Balwan came out to market in 1997. 

During the early 90s, the company also focused on manufacturing small three wheeled commercial vehicles which were in demand, as a result of economic development in the country. The company found a major breakthrough in this segment in 1999 when it built the Tempo Excel which was a four wheeled, small commercial vehicle. It had higher stability and better ergonomics compared to its three wheeled seniors.

Force Motors (then Bajaj Tempo) came into partnership with MAN AG, a German automotive business, in 2003. The German company is a pioneer in manufacturing of HCV and buses. It held 50% of the shares in Bajaj Tempo. The company was renamed as Force Motors in 2005 and with the help of its new partner MAN AG, Force Motors started off a manufacturing plant at Pithampur Maharashtra which was dedicated to producing HCV. 

Force Motors currently is the fully owned subsidiary of MAN SE and is focusing towards passenger vehicle segment which is an area with high potential in India, today. It launched its first SUV Force One in 2011.

Force Motors is having a good journey till date and has grown with the support of some major brands from abroad. The company has leaped forward by learning, adopting and developing new techniques in the field of manufacturing. It has upgraded itself from time to time to cater to needs of the market and today it stands as a pioneer in commercial vehicles segment. Force Motors has all the potential to see quick growth in passenger vehicle segment as well.