Besides tapping the domestic market, multinational car companies that have set up manufacturing bases in India have been looking to cater to the international market. The figures are now beginning to tell.

According to data released by Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), cars made in India are beginning to make a mark worldwide. Some 148,781 units were exported in the first nine months (April-December 2006) of the current financial year, a 13.97 per cent increase over the corresponding period in 2005.

The export leader is the Indian subsidiary of the South Korean conglomerate Hyundai, which shipped out 87,819 units during the period, a growth of 14.68 per cent over the 76,571 units sold in the same period during 2005.

Hyundai, India's second largest car manufacturer, recently said that it has sold more than one million Santros in the domestic and export market since the introduction of the small car in the Indian market in late 1998.

Of the one million, over 700,000 cars were sold in the domestic market and the rest exported.

Hyundai has also revealed plans for its Chennai (known as the 'Detroit of India') factory to meet the international demand for the high-selling hatchback Santro that has found its way to European markets as well as South Africa.

The company is setting up a new facility close to its existing plant to raise its total capacity to 600,000 units annually, with a target of exporting nearly half the turnout.

Domestic leader Maruti Udyog, owned by Japan's Suzuki, has seen a drop in its overseas market to 23,967 units in the nine months, compared to 25,755 units in the corresponding period last year. But it has drawn up big plans to be a global player.

'We plan to export 250,000 cars by 2010. A car targeted at the European market will be unveiled by 2008-09 and we hope to export 100,000 units,' Maruti managing director Jagdish Khattar said recently.

Although Ford India does not have a big domestic presence, it still managed to export 20,894 units in April-December 2006, a growth of 86.83 per cent over 11,183 units in the same period in 2005.

Indeed, riding on high domestic and international demand, this financial year could turn out to be the best for the Indian automobile industry.

Between April and September, automobile firms have sold over 4.86 million vehicles, including cars, two-wheelers and commercial vehicles, in the domestic market.

The growth rate of 17.12 per cent for the half year is the highest in the last five years.

Recent reports suggest that Nissan will set up a car factory in India with Renault SA and Mahindra & Mahindra in 2009, providing the Japanese automaker its first manufacturing foothold in the booming Indian market. The initial capacity is likely to be in the range of 350,000 units.

An Indian government mission plan said auto manufacturers are aiming for sales of US$145 billion in 10 years or average 16 per cent annual growth, up from US$36 billion now.

Industry observers have said sales could touch 10 million vehicles by March 2007 for the first time, an annual growth rate of 20 per cent.

After China, the Indian auto industry is the second fastest growing automotive market.

Some 1.1 million passenger cars rolled off assembly lines last year and the number is forecast to nearly double to two million by 2010. Scooter and motorcycle sales are forecast to grow from seven million to 12 million units in the same time.

More than 50 new models are likely to be launched this year for the domestic Indian market.