Auto companies may go on expansion drive in Uttarakhand

Auto companies in the state are likely to go on an expansion drive buoyed by better-than anticipated sales over the past few quarters.

Tata Motors, Hero Honda and Bajaj Auto, which have set up their manufacturing units in Uttarkand, are in talks with the state government in this regard, industry sources said.

The Uttrkhand government, on its part, is collecting information on free land that could be given to companies that want to expand.

“We have got information that most of the auto companies are expanding their units in the state,” said Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, who is keen to develop the state into a hub for automobiles manufacturing.

Several large automobile companies, including Tatas, Hero Honda and Ashok Leyland, have set up units in the state drawn by its investor-friendly investment policy that offered excise exemptions.

Though the excise waiver came to an end in March this year, certain other benefits like income tax rebate and capital subsidy continue to make the state a lucrative destination for investors, officials said.