Indian auto industry is undoubtedly becoming a hottest hub for global players. Many have already made their entry into the Indian auto market and big car manufacturers from US, Europe, Japan has rolled out their vehicles on Indian roads. Now, it is the turn of Russia to test their luck in Indian auto industry.

Russia is all set to make foray into Indian auto industry. The first Russian automobile company to come into the Indian market is likely to be GAZ (Gorkovsky Avtomobilny Zavod) Group, which is largest automotive manufacture of light commercial vehicles like– trucks, buses, cars, powertrain and road construction equipment in Russia. It is learnt that the company is looking at India as its next overseas market.

According to the sources, the Russian auto maker is contemplating and showing interest to set up a powetrain manufacturing facility. The company is expected to tie up with an Indian partner to manufacture its rugged commercial vehicles range in India.

A senior official of GAZ Group said that the company has seen a lot of potential in the commercial vehicle segment in India where passenger car market is crowded and competitive with all the global car makers.

He also informed that the company already had discussions with a few Indian companies including the Society of Indian Automobile manufacturers on the prospective Indian market. There are no firm decisions yet on any investment. But as auto is one of the key areas of the India-Russia Forum on Trade and Investment we are looking at business partnership in future, he added.

It may be recalled here that Group GAZ, the maker of famous Volga range of cars also has a stake in the Birmingham based UK's LDV Group.