Germany is a top European investor in the Indian market with a number of top-tier and medium sized German companies operating in India. From April 2000 to March 2024, German companies invested USD 14,634 million in India. Altogether, over 1800 German companies operate in India and the bilateral trade between the two countries is likely to grow in the coming years due to a conducive business environment created by the respective countries. The major sectors which fetch a major share of German FDI are transportation, metallurgy, electrical equipment, automobiles, chemicals, trading, services and construction. In April 2019, both the governments of Germany and India set up a fast track system to facilitate the entry of German and Indian companies into each others market. Let’s have a look at the top 10 German companies in India for the year 2025.
1. Audi India
Audi India, founded in the year 2007, is a part of the German luxury manufacturer of automobiles, Audi AG, which is itself a subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group. Audi has become a prominent name in the luxury automobile market in India. The company offers multiple types of cars, including sportback and SUVs, to the Indian consumers in a host of models, including Q8, Q8 e-tron, Q3, Q5, A4, A5 and A6.
Audi India operates a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility at Sambhajinagar in the state of Maharashtra. This facility is engaged in the manufacturing of several models, such as Q3 Sportback, A4 Sedan, A6 Sedan, Q5 and Q7. The company has 57 authorised dealers and showrooms across India.
2. BASF
BASF, founded in the year 1865, is a German multinational company which is the largest producer of chemicals in the world. The company has been operating in India since the year 1943 through its subsidiary, BASF India Limited. BASF India Limited manufactures a wide range of products, including chemicals, agro products, battery materials, coatings solutions, adhesives, architectural paints and coatings, pharmaceuticals and nutrition products.
BASF India has multiple production facilities in Mangalore, Dahej, Chennai and Thane. The Mangalore facility of the company is its biggest facility in South Asia. From chemicals and engineered plastics to automotive catalysts and coatings, the company manufactures multiple products in India.
3. Mercedes Benz
Mercedes Benz, founded in the year 1926, is a leading German manufacturer of luxury and light commercial vehicles, which entered India in the year 1994 through its subsidiary, Mercedes Benz India Limited. Mercedes Benz India has launched multiple models of luxury cars, including sedans, electric and SUVs, in the Indian market, such as EQB, EQE, G Class, A Class, S Class, GLE, GLS and more.
Mercedes Benz India operates a world-class production facility at Chakan near Pune in Maharashtra. In the year 2020, India became the first overseas location for the company to manufacture its flagship luxury electric vehicle, the EQS 580.
4. Deutsche Bank
Deutsche Bank, founded in the year 1870, is German multinational investment bank and financial services provider with a presence in over 57 countries worldwide. The bank opened its first branch in India in the year 1980, and has its corporate headquarters in Mumbai. A multitude of integrated banking and financial services are provided by the bank to individual clients, corporates and institutions in India.
Deutsche Bank currently has branches in 16 cities across India. In the year 2022, Deutsche Bank started operations at the GIFT City in Ahmedabad to serve as a banking platform for international businesses.
5. Daimler Truck AG
Daimler Truck AG, founded in the year 1926, is a German manufacturer of trucks and other commercial vehicles, which is operating in India since the year 2009 through its wholly owned subsidiary, Daimler India Commercial Vehicles. DICV manufactures and sells 10-55 ton trucks in the Indian market. The company has also developed a specialised bus for the Indian conditions, named BharatBenz.
DICV operates a 400-acre production facility, located at Oragadam near Chennai. This facility manufactures BharatBenz specifically for India and other models which are exported to more than 60 countries.
6. DHL
DHL, founded in the year 1969, is a German multinational logistics company which entered India in the year 2001 through its subsidiary, DHL Express India Private Limited. DHL Express India provides international freight shipping services, including sea and air freight shipping, along with customs brokerage, domestic courier services and third-party logistics services for businesses of all sizes.
DHL Express India has a wide fulfillment network in India comprising of 142 offices, docks and warehouses with a total area of more than 11 lakh square metres.
7. AUMA
AUMA, founded in the year 1964, is an internationally renowned German manufacturer of electrical actuators and valve gearboxes, which is operating in India since the year 1983 through its subsidiary, AUMA India. The company is a leading manufacturer of multiple types of electrical actuators, including linear, part-turn and multi-turn actuators, in India. Its product portfolio also includes gearbox, communication systems and related accessories.
8. Bosch
Bosch, founded in the year 1986, is German multinational engineering and technology conglomerate. The company entered India in the year 1951 and operates in the country through 12 subsidiaries engaged in multiple businesses, such as automotive electronics, home appliances, software technologies, electrical drives, automotive steering and more. It has 17 manufacturing facilities and 7 development and application centres in India.
9. Siemens AG
Siemens AG, founded in the year 1847, is German technology conglomerate with diversified business interests in rail transport, health technology, industrial automation, financial services and more. The company operates eight subsidiaries in India which are engaged in diverse businesses, such as mobility, energy, smart infrastructure, health technology and more. It has a large manufacturing footprint in India with 10 manufacturing plants in the country.
10. SAP SE
SAP SE, established in the year 1972, is a German multinational company specialising in business software solutions. The company is operating in India since the year 1996 through its subsidiary, SAP India. Major software products of the company include cloud ERP applications, business data cloud and business artificial intelligence. SAP India is present in nine Indian cities, including Mumbai, New Delhi and Kolkata.
Conclusion
German companies in India are known for bringing latest technologies, best research and development skills and innovative business practices to the country. A survey conducted in the year 2024 found that nearly 60% of the German firms in India are planning to increase their investments in the country.