Who Owns Force Motors? Firodia Family, Prasan Firodia & the Traveller Legacy (2026)

Force Motors Ltd is an Indian automobile manufacturer specializing in commercial light trucks (the iconic Traveller minibus), SUVs (Gurkha), and specialized vehicles (ambulances, defense). A Pune-based company, it is controlled by the Firodia family — one of India’s oldest automobile industry families — and listed on BSE and NSE.

Who Owns Force Motors?

Force Motors Ltd is controlled by the Firodia family — specifically Prasan Firodia (MD) who is the third-generation leader of the business founded by his grandfather Navalmal Firodia. The Firodia family holds approximately 65–67% of Force Motors through promoter entities. Force Motors was formerly known as Bajaj Tempo Ltd before the Bajaj brand separation in 2005. Force Motors also manufactures powertrain components for BMW and Mercedes-Benz India as a Tier-1 supplier. See also: Mahindra & Mahindra, Tata Motors.

Who is the CEO of Force Motors?

Prasan Firodia is Managing Director of Force Motors Ltd — third-generation Firodia family leadership. Under him, Force Motors relaunched the Gurkha SUV (now 3rd generation), expanded ambulance manufacturing, and secured defense vehicle contracts.

History of Force Motors

Force Motors traces its roots to 1958 when Navalmal Firodia founded Bajaj Tempo Ltd as a joint venture with German commercial vehicle maker Tempo GmbH. The company built India’s first LCV (light commercial vehicle) trucks. It separated from the Bajaj brand in 2005 and was renamed Force Motors. The Traveller — a light commercial van/minibus — became the company’s bread-and-butter product used across India as school buses, ambulances, and staff transport. The Gurkha SUV gained a cult following among Indian enthusiasts and military customers.