Tracks through time
1945 to 1960 War surplus tractors and bulldozers were imported for land reclamation and cultivation in the mid 1940s. In 1947, Central and state tractor organisations were set up to develop and promote the supply and use of tractors in agriculture and till 1960, the demand was met entirely through imports. There were 8,500 tractors in use in 1951, 20,000 in 1955 and 37,000 by 1960.
1961 to 1970 Local production began in 1961 with five manufacturers producing 880 units per year. By 1965, this increased to over 5,000 units per year and the total in use rose to over 52,000. By 1970, annual production exceeded 20000 units and over 146,000 units were being used.
1971 to 1980 Six new manufacturers commenced production, but only three companies survived. Escorts began local manufacture of Ford tractors in 1971 in collaboration with Ford, UK. In 1974, Punjab Tractors Limited (PTL) brought indigenously designed Swaraj tractors into the market, which got a good response. Total production reached 71000 by 1980, while the total in use crossed the half million mark.
1981 to 1990 Five more new players entered the market
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