When Sonalika began its journey 30 years ago, the Indian tractor industry was already shaped by established names and entrenched conventions. Entering this complex landscape demanded far more than financial investments or manufacturing capacity, it required ‘Commitment’. A clear intent that Indian farmers deserved world-class technology tailored to their ground realities. A belief that Indian engineering, grounded in purpose and perseverance, had the strength to rise to global benchmarks and ultimately redefine them.
That belief is ‘Jeetne Ka Dum'
This belief transformed Sonalika from a bold Indian challenger into one of the world’s most respected tractor brands earning the trust of over 18 lakh farmers, expanding its presence across more than 150 countries, and establishing itself as India’s No.1 tractor exporter to the world. Today, Sonalika stands tall on the global stage as a symbol of agri-engineering excellence, manufacturing scale, and farmer-first innovation. This is the story of an Indian belief evolving into a global powerhouse, shaping a legacy that continues to power progress across farms, borders, and generations.
THE VISION THAT STARTED IT ALL: INDIAN FARMERS DESERVE THE BEST
At the heart of Sonalika’s foundation lies the visionary leadership of Chairman Shri L.D. Mittal, whose conviction was simple yet transformative – “Indian farmers deserve world-class technology, built in India and for Indian conditions.” Like every great harvest that begins with a single act of faith ‘sowing’, 30 years ago, he sowed a belief deep into Indian soil that farmers deserve respect, reliability, and the very best in performance. At a time when limitations were accepted as norms and compromise defined choices, this belief took root as trust, giving farmers the ‘Dum Sapne Dekhne Ka’ and empowering them with engineering designed to win.
During the days when imported technologies were often perceived as superior, Sonalika chose a different path, rooted in self-belief, indigenous capability, and long-term institution building. Established in 1996, Sonalika’s objective was clear: to create a self-reliant, scalable ecosystem that would empower Indian agriculture sustainably, competitively, and with integrity.
This founding philosophy became the earliest expression of Jeetne Ka Dum, the inner strength to dream bigger, invest ahead of time, commit to quality over compromise, and believe in Indian engineering at a global scale. Nurtured through discipline, innovation, and a farmer-first mindset, what was sown as belief has today grown into a global legacy, deeply rooted in Indian fields and trusted by 18 lakh farmers across continents.
SCALING UP WITH VALUES TO POWER PROGRESS
If the founding years were driven by the courage to begin, the next chapter was shaped by the values and long term thinking. As Sonalika scaled, Jeetne Ka Dum evolved from entrepreneurial courage into institutional discipline that was guided by the visionary leadership of Vice Chairman Dr. A.S. Mittal. His philosophy of ‘Dum Hamesha Jeetne Ka’ translated conviction into governance, embedding global standards, ethical frameworks, deep into the organisation’s DNA.
This phase marked a strategic shift - from capacity creation to capability leadership. Systems were strengthened and processes refined, enabling Sonalika to remain agile in markets while uncompromising in values. The organisation emerged stronger, future-ready, and deeply trusted. Sonalika’s seamless generational transition reflects a continuity of belief of long-term thinking, inclusive growth, and moral stewardship. Its recognition by Fortune Magazine among India’s 500 largest companies both in year 2024 and 2025 and inclusion among the Top 10 Automobile Brands in India in 2024 stand as enduring proof that true leadership is built on values that win consistently and responsibly.
TAKING INDIAN TRACTORS TO THE WORLD
In a world where agricultural challenges are increasingly global, leadership demands the courage to think beyond borders and Sonalika’s visionary leader and Managing Director, Dr. Deepak Mittal consistently fuelled Sonalika’s global dreams with his philosophy of ‘Dum Sabse Aage Rehne Ka’. Under his visionary guidance, Sonalika’s global ambitions accelerated with clarity, speed, and scale - carrying India’s frugally engineered excellence across continents and transforming the brand into a truly international agri-engineering powerhouse. Today, Sonalika stands as India’s No.1 tractor export brand operating across more than 150 countries, supported by six strategically located assembly plants across continents and enduring global partnerships. Its heavy duty tractors, built on globally compliant platforms, perform with confidence within the world’s toughest regulatory frameworks, setting new benchmarks for Indian standards worldwide.
WORLD’S NO.1 TRACTOR PLANT: A GLOBAL MANUFACTURING LANDMARK
At Sonalika, manufacturing always got prioritised as a discipline where scale is meaningful only when matched with precision and consistency. With end-to-end in-house manufacturing capabilities -including indigenous development of engines and transmissions, Sonalika secured complete control over its manufacturing prowess and quality. This deep vertical integration enabled faster innovation cycles, consistent field performance, and seamless compliance with stringent norms across global markets.
The leadership’s early decision to establish an integrated manufacturing base in Hoshiarpur, Punjab, proved transformational for the brand as well as for the region itself. Today, this facility stands as the World’s No.1 integrated tractor manufacturing plant, rolling out 1 new tractor every 2 minutes, a benchmark that remains unparalleled in the tractor industry since the plant’s establishment in 2017. Designed to global TPM standards, the plant integrates advanced automation, robotics and precision quality systems to roll out tractors complying with varied emission norms across 150 countries.
Beyond scale, the Hoshiarpur plant has evolved into a global manufacturing hub while catalysing regional industrial development and nurturing a robust ecosystem of ancillary industries, MSMEs, suppliers, and service partners. This belief that ‘growth must create shared prosperity’ defines Sonalika’s approach to leadership. This disciplined, farmer-centric manufacturing excellence is a living embodiment of Jeetne Ka Dum.
ENGINEERING EXCELLENCE AT SCALE: WHERE SPEED MEETS PRECISION
Sonalika’s global alliances with Japan’s Yanmar, Germany’s Claas, and French giant Renault brought cutting-edge technologies into its product ecosystem, elevating performance while retaining affordability and relevance for farmers. With a comprehensive portfolio spanning 1000+ tractor variants across 20 HP to 120 HP, Sonalika offers unmatched adaptability across diverse geographies and global markets.
Engineered with a farmer-first mindset, every Sonalika product focuses on real-world performance, high durability, low lifecycle cost, ease of maintenance, and technology aligned with farmer economics. Reinforcing its commitment to trust and transparency, Sonalika became India’s 1st tractor brand to publicly declare tractor prices and service charges on its website - setting a new industry benchmark. Simultaneously, Sonalika’s association with Govt. of India’s NITI Aayog reflects its commitment to India’s agricultural transformation, supporting initiatives that aim to raise productivity and farmer incomes sustainably.
VISION 3.0: THE ROAD AHEAD: INNOVATION, SCALE, AND SUSTAINABILITY
As Sonalika steps into its fourth decade, the focus shifts firmly to the future, guided by the vision and ambition of third-generation leadership committed to global excellence. This era represents Jeetne Ka Dum at its most evolved stage: the courage to re-imagine farming solutions while staying rooted in farmer needs.
The roadmap ahead includes the creation of an advanced R&D centre for next-generation platforms, the development of high-performance engines, precision agriculture solutions, and alternate-fuel tractors that support sustainable mobility. Additionally, capacity expansion across manufacturing and marquee launches that reinforce the brand’s future-ready intent. Anchoring these initiatives is a clear aspiration - to cross 2 lakh tractors annually, responsibly and competitively.
30 YEARS ON, THE BELIEF GROWS STRONGER
What began as a commitment to Indian farmers has today evolved into a globally respected agri-technology enterprise - built on scale, trust, and generational leadership. Sonalika’s 30 year glorious journey reflects the power of long-term thinking, disciplined execution, and leadership continuity. This journey is powered by Jeetne Ka Dum - where success is collective, progress is inclusive, and leadership is measured by the ability to take everyone forward, together.
