The first Indian to own a car is often credited to Rustomjee Jamsetjee Tata. He purchased a French-made De Dion-Bouton in 1901 making him one of the earliest automobile owners in India. Rustomjee Jamsetjee Tata was the cousin of Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata the founder of the Tata Group.

Rustomjee Tata's acquisition of a car was a pioneering moment in Indian automotive history reflecting the introduction of automobiles to the Indian elite during the early 20th century. This marked the beginning of a transformative era in transportation and set the stage for the growth of the automotive industry in India.