Hindustan Motors

Hindustan Motors Limited is a leading automobile manufacturing company in India. Founded in 1942, it is headquartered in Kolkata. The company makes passenger cars, trucks and multi-utility vehicles.

Hindustan Motors was established at Okha port in Gujarat. In 1948, operations were relocated to Uttarpara in the Hooghly district of West Bengal, where the company began the production of the iconic Ambassador car. Hindustan Motors used to manufacture the Ambassador (in 1500 and 2000 cc diesel, 1800 cc petrol and CNG variants) in the passenger car segment. It also produced the Winner, a 1-tonne payload mini-truck (in 2000 cc diesel and CNG variants).

As on March 31, 2023, the Promoters hold 32.33% shares in the company whereas FIIs, DIIs, and Public hold 0.02%, 3.14%, and 64.49% shares respectively.

The market capitalisation of the company is over ₹350 crore as of January 11, 2024. Hindustan Motors share price has gained over 80% in the last three years.

Business Operations

In addition to a range of passenger cars, Hindustan Motors' portfolio included mid-size premium segment passenger cars such as Mitsubishi Lancer, Lancer Select and Lancer Cedia. The company also introduced the Sports Utility Vehicle (Mitsubishi Pajero) to the Indian market through collaboration with Mitsubishi Motors of Japan.

The Uttarpara factory, known as Hind Motor, was India's first integrated automobile plant. In addition to manufacturing vehicles, this facility also produced automotive and forged components. Hindustan Motors has an engine plant in Pithampur near Indore in Madhya Pradesh. It specialises in the production of various variants of the Winner, including the 1800 cc CNG model.

The Uttarpara plant, which was established in 1948, is presently engaged in the production of vehicles. The plant also produces the HM Winner, a light commercial vehicle with a 1-tonne payload capacity, available in 2000 cc diesel and CNG variants.

Hindustan Motors' components division comprises two key entities: Accu Cast (casting unit) and Accu Forge (forging unit). These units play a pivotal role in supplying engines, transmissions, and axle components for Hindustan Motors’ vehicle business.

Initially established for Hindustan Motors' internal consumption, Accu Cast has expanded its services to serve other well-established original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). The manufacturing facility has a 2-tonne dual-track induction furnace capable of melting up to 1500 tonnes of metal monthly. Accu Cast specialises in manufacturing intricate castings such as 3-cylinder and 4-cylinder blocks, heads, gearbox housings, iron casings, wheel hubs and aluminium gearbox extensions.

Accu Forge was originally established for in-house use. It now caters to well-established OEM customers. The manufacturing facility includes 6000 T, 2500 T and 1300 T presses with an induction furnace. The unit features in-house facilities for heat treatment, a lab with a spectrometer and all necessary facilities.

Financial highlights

– Hindustan Motors has no revenue from operations, the total income of the company from other sources for FY23 stood at ₹3.79 crore, compared to ₹14.58 crore in FY22. – The net profit after tax for FY23 was ₹0.05 crore compared to ₹18.65 crore during the previous year. – The company's earnings per share (EPS) stood at ₹0 in FY23 compared to ₹0.89 in the previous financial year.