What Has Kept Force Motors Going for 60 Years ?

During the 1970s, 80s, and 90s, if someone mentioned a "Tempo" or a "truck," the vehicle that immediately came to mind was the "Matador." This was Force Motors' first and highly acclaimed vehicle. It was India's first diesel powered light commercial vehicle serving both cargo and passenger transport needs and played a pivotal role across the country as a reliable, rugged workhorse throughout those three decades. The Matador was manufactured at the company's plant in Akurdi, within the PCMC area. The company continued its journey by producing a range of vehicles, including the Tempo, Traveller, school buses, and various other commercial models, the Force Traveller, in particular, is widely used across the country today. The manufacturing and technological capabilities of the Pimpri-Chinchwad region played a significant role in the company's growth. Today, Force Motors vehicles are seen on roads not only in Maharashtra but across various parts of the country. But how did the company begin, and how did its connection with Pimpri-Chinchwad develop? Let us explore this story by tracing Force Motors' journey in Pimpri-Chinchwad.

What Is Force Motors Building Today?

Facilities at Chakan and Akurdi: In addition to Akurdi, Force Motors operates a large, precision manufacturing facility at Chakan, Pune. In mid 2026, this Chakan facility achieved a major milestone by producing its 200,000th engine for Mercedes-Benz India, continuing a partnership spanning over a decade of locally manufacturing luxury car engines.

Force Motors is a fully vertically integrated automotive manufacturer that produces a diverse range of vehicles, agricultural machinery, and specialized high tech equipment.

What does Force Motors manufacture?

1. Shared Mobility and Commercial Vehicles (LCVs and MUVs)

Force Motors is India's largest van manufacturer, holding a market share of over 70% in the 'Light Commercial Vehicle' (LCV) segment. In this sector, the company faces competition from Tata Motors' Tata Winger, as well as Mahindra & Mahindra's Supro and Maruti Suzuki's Eeco.

Force Traveller and Traveller N - These serve as the country's most widely used vehicle for school buses, ambulances (compliant with the National Ambulance Code), and vans used for corporate employee transport. In the 2025-26 financial year, Force Motors recorded its highest ever annual revenue of ₹9,167 crore. The Traveller and its new variants are estimated to have directly contributed approximately ₹5,000 crore to ₹5,500 crore to this total revenue.

Force Urbania: A modern, premium segment 'next generation' shared mobility van designed for high end tourism and corporate transport. Sales of the Urbania platform more than doubled (an increase of over 100%) in the 2025-26 financial year (FY26). Currently, an average of 400 to 700 Urbania vans are being sold monthly in the domestic market. The ex-showroom price of the Force Urbania ranges from approximately ₹28.70 lakh to ₹31.83 lakh (for the new Urbania Deluxe model). Considering monthly sales of approximately 400 to 700 vehicles, the Urbania platform alone generates direct monthly revenue exceeding ₹120 crore to ₹200 crore for the company.

Force Monobus: A large commercial bus designed primarily for school transport and high capacity passenger transport. The price of the Force Monobus ranges from approximately ₹35 lakh to ₹45 lakh (depending on the variant). In the 2025-26 fiscal year, Force Motors recorded a record annual revenue of ₹9,057 crore to ₹9,167 crore. Although the Monobus's share of this total revenue is smaller compared to the Traveller and Urbania, its high price point means the platform contributes approximately ₹300 crore to ₹450 crore to the company's commercial vehicle (CV) revenue.

Force Trax (Toofan, Cruiser, and Cityline): Robust, multi utility passenger vehicles that are highly popular for transporting large groups in rural, semi urban, and tourism sectors.

Commercial Cargo and Delivery Vans: Enclosed cargo vans built on the Trax and Traveller platforms, designed for regional logistics and goods delivery.

2. Passenger and Lifestyle Oriented Vehicles (SUVs)

For the retail consumer market, 'Force' primarily focuses on 'heavy duty' build and purpose built 'off-road' capabilities.

Force Gurkha (3-door and 5-door): A robust 'extreme lifestyle' 4x4 off-roader capable of easily navigating rugged terrain, it competes directly with vehicles like the Mahindra Thar.

3. High-Tech Components and Engine Assembly

A significant part of their business involves manufacturing critical components for world class, high end luxury brands.

Mercedes-Benz Powertrains - Through a dedicated facility in Chakan, Pune, Force Motors exclusively manufactures and tests every engine and axle fitted in Mercedes-Benz luxury passenger cars and SUVs produced in India.

BMW Engines - Force operates a dedicated facility to manufacture and supply engines for BMW India’s vehicle range.

Other Power Systems - They manufacture engines, axles, and die cast aluminum components locally for various commercial partners, including Rolls Royce Power Systems.

4. Agricultural Equipment

Balwan and Orchid Tractors - This company manufactures a range of agricultural tractors, from small tractors designed specifically for orchards to medium sized tractors for general farm use.

Force Motors has two major facilities within the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) area:

1. Main Headquarters and Assembly Plant (Akurdi)

This is a highly prominent and significant facility located right in the heart of the PCMC area.

Exact Location - Adjacent to the Old Mumbai-Pune Highway, Akurdi, Pimpri-Chinchwad - 411035.

Key Landmarks - The facility is situated right next to the massive Bajaj Auto plant and close to the Akurdi railway station.

What is here - This sprawling complex houses Force Motors' corporate office, the main design and engineering departments, as well as assembly lines for the company's commercial vans and utility vehicles.

2. Precision Luxury Engine Plant (Chakan)

Although Chakan is situated on the outer industrial periphery of the PCMC/Pune metropolitan region, a major Force Motors facility operates here as part of the local industrial belt.

Exact Location - Gat No. 331-333, Nanekarwadi, Chakan, Maharashtra - 410501.

Key Landmarks - Located along the Talegaon-Chakan Road, this facility is part of a dense automotive cluster alongside other major global manufacturing companies.

What is here - The Force Motors facility at Chakan is a highly specialized plant equipped with state of the art technology. This project is primarily dedicated to manufacturing and testing 'precision powertrains' (precision engine and transmission systems) and 'axles' (components connecting the wheels) for Mercedes-Benz India's passenger vehicles.

History of Force Motors.

Force Motors was founded by N. K. Firodia in 1958. The company's origins lie in 'Bajaj Trading Corporation' (now known as 'Bajaj Auto'), which was established in 1945. In 1951, Bajaj began assembling three wheeled auto rickshaws and small trucks under a license from the German company 'Tempo'. In 1958, these companies announced the formation of a joint venture named 'Bajaj Tempo Motors', in which Tempo held a 26% stake. In 1968, the Firodia Group acquired a majority stake in Bajaj Tempo. That same year, business disagreements arose between the Firodia and Bajaj families, leading to a separation of their operations. 'Bajaj Auto' went entirely to Rahul Bajaj, while the ownership and management of 'Bajaj Tempo' passed to N. K. Firodia.

Although the management passed to the Firodia, the 'Bajaj' name and a 24% stake in the company remained with Bajaj Auto, in other words, the two companies had not completely separated in legal and financial terms, as the Bajaj Group remained a partner in Bajaj Tempo. On May 12, 2005, Bajaj Tempo was officially renamed 'Force Motors Ltd.' There were two main reasons behind this name change.

The 'Tempo' name dispute (Exit of the German company)

'Tempo' was originally a brand belonging to the German company DaimlerChrysler. When the German company decided to withdraw from the joint venture, it asked the Firodia Group to stop using the 'Tempo' name.

What Happened in the Legal Battle Over ‘Bajaj’?

Firodia considered naming the company simply 'Bajaj Motors,' as they had been operating under the name 'Bajaj Tempo' for years. However, Rahul Bajaj strongly opposed this. He argued that since the Firodia's held the management reins, they should not use the 'Bajaj' name, as it would create confusion among customers. The dispute reached the Bombay High Court.

How Was the Name ‘Force’ Born?

Eventually, following the court's decision and government directives, the Firodia Group decided to drop both old names ('Bajaj' and 'Tempo'). They chose the new name "Force Motors" to reflect the characteristics for which the company's vehicles were known - strength, technical capability, and a robust grip on Indian roads.

Although the name was changed in 2005, the Bajaj Group retained a shareholding in the company. Finally, in August 2014, the Bajaj Group sold off its remaining shares in Force Motors, bringing a complete end to a partnership that had spanned over 50 years.

In 1971, the company Tempo (Germany) came under the ownership of Daimler-Benz; Daimler retained a 16.8% stake in Bajaj Tempo until 2001. Citing a lack of significant synergy between the two companies, Daimler sold off its stake in April 2001, after 43 years.

The 'Tempo Matador' was India's first diesel powered light commercial vehicle. In 1958, the company began manufacturing the 'Tempo Hanseat' three wheeler in collaboration with Germany's 'Vidal & Sohn Tempo Werke'. The word 'Tempo' (which is a registered trademark of Daimler) has now become a generic term in India for any small cargo vehicle.

Bajaj Tempo Matador F307

Bajaj Tempo Minidor - In 1987, Force Motors established a new factory at Pithampur in Madhya Pradesh for the production of the 'Tempo Traveller'. This factory was designed and constructed in accordance with Daimler-Benz standards.

In 2012, Force Motors launched the 'Traveller 26', a 'monocoque panel van'. With a seating capacity of 26 passengers, the vehicle was designed entirely in house by the company. It featured disc brakes on all four wheels and included safety features such as ABS and EBD.

In 2015, the company secured a contract from BMW. This led to the establishment of a new facility in Chennai dedicated to the production and testing of engines and transmissions for all BMW cars and SUVs manufactured in India. The facility has an annual production capacity of 20,000 engines, and its construction was completed in July 2015.

A new facility was inaugurated at Chakan in Pune district in June 2016. This facility handles the assembly and testing of engines for all Mercedes cars and SUVs manufactured in India. The facility currently has an annual capacity of 20,000 engines and 20,000 front and rear axles.

In March 2018, Force Motors entered into a joint venture agreement with Rolls Royce Power Systems AG. Under this agreement, 'Series 1600' 10-cylinder and 12-cylinder engines (ranging from 545 hp to 1050 hp) were to be manufactured in India for global supply. These engines are primarily used for power generation and for 'under floor' equipment in railway applications.

The journey of Force Motors is not merely about vehicle manufacturing, it is a significant chapter intertwined with the industrial evolution of Pimpri-Chinchwad. What began as a joint venture has today expanded to encompass a diverse range of vehicles. While adapting to changing times embracing new technologies, designs, and evolving customer needs the company has steadfastly maintained its unique identity. Consequently, Force Motors’ contribution to the industrial history of Pimpri-Chinchwad stands out as truly distinctive. Indeed, behind every Force vehicle seen on the road today lies the story of this decades long journey.

Apla PCMC brings you the best food spots, hidden gems, local businesses, events, stories and news from Pimpri Chinchwad. Follow us to discover the places that make PCMC one of Pune's most exciting cities to explore.