This blog is based on the recent Frost & Sullivan analyses:
Automotive Production Trends and Insights, Global, 2025-2030, authored by Thanigesh Arumugam Parthasarathi, Automotive Strategy Analyst
Top Transformations Driving the Global Automotive Market, 2025, authored by Joe Praveen, Associate Director-Business Strategy & Innovation Group
The New Rules of Commercial Vehicle Growth in India
India’s commercial vehicle (CV) sector is evolving rapidly — but not always in ways the industry expects. While production ramps up and vehicle demand grows steadily, the real disruption is happening where few are looking: in the unmet needs of the fleet owners.
With fuel costs volatile, parts pricing unpredictable, and service timelines shrinking, fleet owners — especially in the freight and bus segments — are rethinking how they buy, service, and maintain their vehicles. And yet, OEMs, tire suppliers, and reconditioners remain focused on old assumptions.
What’s missing? A strategy driven by voice-of-customer data, value chain perspectives, and scalable best practices.
Will you lead the CV sector’s service transformation — or be left adapting to someone else’s playbook?
Turning Gaps into Growth:
What 750+ Fleet Owners Told Us
Frost & Sullivan recently surveyed over 750 CV ecosystem stakeholders — from fleet owners to tire service providers and mechanics. The results revealed clear strategic imperatives and growth opportunities for companies willing to listen, adapt, and act. A few key findings:
- Over 80% of CV owners have never used remanufacturing services — not because of disinterest, but due to lack of awareness, access, and credit options.
- 95% of bus operators said they would pay a premium for remanufactured products if warranty and credit terms were included.
- Truck fleets, many of which maintain in-house garages, are ready to adopt localized reconditioning for faster turnaround and cost efficiency.
Underserved, Undervalued: Tire Services as a Growth Engine
What’s your growth strategy for becoming an ecosystem leader in India’s untapped tire service space?
Tires are a recurring operational cost, yet tire maintenance services across India remain shockingly basic. Most CV service centers only offer pressure checks and puncture repairs. Services like alignment, shoulder correction, and full-stack care are non-existent, despite growing fleet demand for consolidated, value-rich tire solutions.
This creates white space for innovative tire care centers, mobile service formats, and strategic alliances with local reconditioners.
Tap into the tire service opportunity →
Growth Best Practices: Lessons from the Frontline
Are you losing market share by failing to form strategic alliances with reconditioners and local mechanics?
The most proactive players across the CV value chain are already reshaping their strategies by:
- Localizing Flexibility
Reconditioning close to fleet hubs means faster service, better relationships, and higher retention. - Building Ecosystem Trust
Mechanics and reconditioners influence over 70% of fleet service decisions. Strategic partnerships here can drive higher conversion than traditional dealer networks. - Packaging Value
Bundling remanufacturing with credit terms, warranties, and service guarantees is turning hesitant buyers into loyal customers.
Next Steps for Automotive Growth Leaders
At Frost & Sullivan, we believe growth isn’t just about identifying gaps, but rather prioritizing opportunities that redefine the future. The highlights shared above point to a few critical imperatives:
- Identify value chain opportunities in emerging service ecosystems
- Track evolving fleet owner expectations across size and segment
- Leverage our growth opportunities expertise to align innovation with industry demand
- Highlight proactive companies transforming their delivery models
- Enable rapid intelligence-led decision-making across functions
Partner with Frost & Sullivan
The next big opportunity in India’s commercial vehicle industry won’t be won through more vehicles sold, but through better service delivered, smarter supply chains, and truly customer-first business models.
The companies that listen to the fleet owner, the mechanic, and the service technician are the ones that will lead the next decade.
Frost & Sullivan’s in-depth growth analyses provide a holistic view of this evolving landscape, offering actionable insights and strategic guidance for businesses navigating this transformation.
You can also directly engage with our experts in an exclusive Growth Pipeline Dialog.
