When you think of automobile manufacturing, the process of assembling vehicles like cars, trucks, and motorcycles from parts and components. Also known as vehicle assembly, it’s a high-volume, capital-intensive industry that thrives on supply chains, skilled labor, and government policy. Most people assume it’s all happening in China, India, or Germany. But Bangladesh, a South Asian nation with over 170 million people and a growing middle class is quietly trying to get into the game. It’s not about building luxury sedans yet—it’s about assembling motorcycles, pickup trucks, and small commercial vehicles using imported kits. The country doesn’t make engines or transmissions from scratch, but it’s starting to weld frames, install interiors, and test final units locally.
This isn’t just about making cars. It’s about industrial policy, how governments use taxes, tariffs, and incentives to build specific industries. Bangladesh has offered tax breaks to companies that assemble vehicles locally, hoping to reduce imports and create jobs. But the results are mixed. Unlike India, where Make in India pushed factories to source 60-70% of parts locally, Bangladesh still imports over 80% of components. The automotive supply chain, the network of suppliers that provide parts from tires to wiring harnesses to seats is weak. There are no major steel stamping plants, no domestic battery makers, and almost no R&D for vehicle design. Without these, you can’t scale beyond assembly.
Still, there’s progress. Companies like Walton and ACI are now assembling electric scooters and small vans. The government is pushing for electric mobility, and a few local startups are designing charging networks. What’s missing isn’t ambition—it’s consistency. Power outages still disrupt production lines. Logistics are slow. Skilled welders and quality control inspectors are hard to find. And while India built its auto sector by partnering with global giants like Maruti and Hyundai, Bangladesh’s deals have mostly been with Chinese OEMs that bring in kits, not technology.
What you’ll find in the posts below aren’t articles about Bangladesh’s auto industry—because there aren’t many. But you’ll see real comparisons: how India scaled its manufacturing, what makes a good supply chain, and why some countries succeed while others stall. You’ll also find lessons from other emerging markets that tried the same path. This isn’t a story about cars. It’s about how a nation builds something complex from scratch—and whether Bangladesh has the will to finish the job.
Does Bangladesh make its own cars? Dive into the surprising progress and challenges of Bangladesh's car industry, the people behind it, and what's up next.