National Automotive Test Tracks

What National Automotive Test Tracks does

National Automotive Test Tracks (NATRAX) is a Government of India–owned automotive testing, evaluation, R&D, and certification center established under the National Automotive Testing and R&D Infrastructure Promotion Council (NATRiP), a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Heavy Industries. Located near Pithampur in Dhar District, Madhya Pradesh — approximately 50 km from Indore — the facility occupies roughly 3,000 acres and comprises 14 specialized test tracks (including the 11.3 km High-Speed Track, Asia's longest and the world's fifth longest) and 5 laboratories covering vehicle dynamics, powertrain, battery testing, CAD/CAE, and vehicle instrumentation. The facility is authorized under Rule 126 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules (CMVR) for issuing vehicle type approval certificates and has held QMS-NABL accreditation (Certificate No. TC-10609) since May 14, 2022.

NATRAX serves automotive OEMs, auto component manufacturers, EV manufacturers and startups, and government scheme participants — particularly those seeking evaluation under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme. Service offerings span track-based testing (high-speed performance, braking, handling, fatigue, noise, off-road, gradient, comfort, and sustainability evaluations across 2-wheelers to heavy commercial vehicles), laboratory testing (K&C, steering, elastomer, damper, emission up to EURO V/BS VI upgrade, battery cycling, and CAE simulation using AB Dynamics, MTS, AVL, HORIBA, SIEMENS, and ADAMS equipment), and ancillary services such as crash barrier testing and proving ground consultancy. Distribution is direct B2B enterprise sales with dedicated contact channels for Tracks, Laboratories, and Electric Mobility inquiries.

NATRAX generates revenue primarily through professional services — fee-based testing and certification engagements, government scheme evaluation work under PLI, and ancillary services such as crash barrier testing and proving ground consultancy. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed; customer segments are pursued through direct enterprise field sales rather than resellers or intermediaries. As a Government of India entity under the National Automotive Board, NATRAX is sustained materially through public capital funding from the NATRiP program, with commercial testing fees representing a supplementary revenue stream layered on top of an extensive government-built infrastructure base.

Name

National Automotive Test Tracks

Legal name

National Automotive Test Tracks

Website

https://natrax.in

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

National Automotive Test Tracks (NATRAX) is a Government of India–owned automotive proving ground providing vehicle testing, certification, and R&D services to OEMs, component manufacturers, and EV makers across 3,000 acres, 14 tracks, and 5 labs near Pithampur, Madhya Pradesh.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Automotive Testing and Certification Services

NAICS

Testing Laboratories and Services (54138), Testing Laboratories and Services (541380)

SIC

Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)

akta.pro primary industry

Testing, Inspection, Certification & Commissioning (TICx) Technical Services (BPAHAIAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Noise, Vibration & Harshness (NVH) Testing / Compliance Measurements (TLAKANAL), Third-Party Certification, Code Compliance & Regulatory Inspection (ASME/API/ISO) (EUAEAHAN)

Keywords

• Automotive testing services
• Vehicle certification
• Test track facilities
• Homologation testing
• Automotive R&D services

Headquarters

HQ city

Dhar

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Revenue model

1. Testing and Certification Services: Comprehensive automotive testing and certification services including vehicle testing, homologation, and R&D support. Services provided to automotive OEMs and component manufacturers for development and certification of vehicles and components.
2. Government PLI Scheme Evaluation: Services to evaluate AAT (Advanced Automotive Technology) vehicle and AAT component under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for automobile and auto component industry
3. Other Services: Crash Barrier Testing, Proving Ground Consultancy, Construction Equipment Testing, Product Launch facilities, Dealers Meet arrangements

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

National Automotive Test Tracks (NATRAX) operates a state-of-the-art automotive testing and certification facility comprising 14 specialized test tracks and 5 laboratories. Located in Dhar, Madhya Pradesh, India, the facility provides vehicle testing, homologation, certification, and R&D support services to automotive OEMs, component manufacturers, and electric vehicle developers under the National Automotive Testing and R&D Infrastructure Project (NATRiP).

Product overview

NATRAX (National Automotive Test Tracks) is a state-of-the-art automotive proving ground under the National Automotive Board (NAB), Ministry of Heavy Industries, Government of India. The facility operates 14 specialized test tracks (including Asia's longest 11.3 km High Speed Track) and 5 advanced laboratories (Vehicle Dynamics Lab, Powertrain Lab, Battery Test Systems, CAD/CAE Lab, and Vehicle Instrumentation Lab). The integrated portfolio includes crash barrier testing and PLI evaluation services for the automobile industry. NATRAX provides comprehensive testing, evaluation, R&D, and certification services for all vehicle categories from 2/3 wheelers to heavy commercial vehicles.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Test Track Testing Services
• Laboratory Testing Services
• Vehicle Homologation and Certification

Quantifiable outcome

• 11.3 km High-Speed Track - Asia's longest and world's fifth longest
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• National Automotive Board (NAB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNATRAX operates under the National Automotive Board (NAB), Ministry of Heavy Industries, Government of India. NAB is responsible for NATRiP implementation including NATRAX facility.
• Ministry of Heavy Industries, Government of IndiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNATRAX is a flagship project under the Ministry of Heavy Industries, planned under the Automotive Mission Plan launched by Government of India.
• NATRiP (National Automotive Testing and R&D Infrastructure Promotion Council)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNATRAX is part of NATRiP, a flagship project of the Ministry of Heavy Industries for developing world-class automotive testing infrastructure.
• Directorate of Skill DevelopmentminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFlexi MoU signed for skill development with ITI Dhar and ITI Pithampur in presence of Collector Dhar on February 18, 2023
• AB Dynamics (UK)coreTechnology or IntegrationK&C (Kinematic and Compliance) machine designed and developed by AB Dynamics, UK for vehicle suspension testing
• AVL Systems (Austria)coreTechnology or Integration4×4 chassis dynamometer supplied by AVL systems for powertrain testing with 48' drums
• HORIBA Systems (Japan)coreTechnology or IntegrationEmission test facility from HORIBA systems, Japan for emission measurement complying with Indian, European, US, Japanese and SAE standards
• MTS SystemscoreTechnology or IntegrationSteering test rig, Elastomer test rig, and Damper test rig from MTS systems for vehicle dynamics testing

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Applus+ IDIADA: Spanish-based global automotive proving ground and certification group, owned by Applus+. Offers testing, homologation, and engineering services comparable to NATRAX's full-stack portfolio. Closest international analogue in scope, scale, and service mix.
• Nardò Technical Center: Italian high-speed proving ground operated by Porsche Engineering. Famous for its circular high-speed track and used globally for vehicle performance, durability, and homologation testing — a direct analogue to NATRAX's high-speed asset.
• HORIBA MIRA: UK-based vehicle engineering, testing, and certification company owned by HORIBA. Operates proving grounds, vehicle dynamics labs, and powertrain/emissions test facilities directly comparable to NATRAX's labs and tracks, including NVH and battery testing capabilities.
• iCAT (International Centre for Automotive Technology): Indian automotive testing and certification center also established under the NATRiP program. Directly comparable scope (testing, homologation, certification) and government-owned peer competing for the same domestic OEM customers.
• ATP Automotive Testing Papenburg: German high-speed oval test track facility. Directly comparable as a high-speed proving ground serving premium European OEMs, and the most direct analogue to NATRAX's 11.3 km High-Speed Track.
• ARAI (Automotive Research Association of India): Indian automotive R&D and testing organization under the Ministry of Heavy Industries. Authorized testing agency under CMVR with overlapping vehicle testing, homologation, and component certification mandates — NATRAX's principal domestic peer.
• UTAC: France-headquartered TIC group for automotive, mobility, and energy. Provides homologation, testing, and certification services with regulatory authority similar to NATRAX's CMVR Rule 126 role in India, serving OEMs across Europe.

Broad incumbents

• SGS Automotive: Global TIC giant providing automotive testing, inspection, and certification services. Overlaps with NATRAX on certification and homologation workflows but operates as part of a much larger, multi-industry testing portfolio.
• TÜV SÜD Auto Service: Global TIC incumbent offering automotive testing, homologation, and certification as part of a much broader industrial services portfolio. Overlaps with NATRAX on certification but does not operate its own high-speed proving ground.

Regional players

• Shanghai Proving Ground (CATARC): China Automotive Technology and Research Center's proving ground serving Chinese OEMs. Comparable in scale and mission (national automotive testing infrastructure), but primarily serves the Chinese domestic market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/natrax_ind
• Facebookfacebook.com/NATRAX-100064036721923
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/national-automotive-test-tracks

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about National Automotive Test Tracks