The Indian tractor manufacturer used Agritechnica to outline ambitious plans to become the global leader in sub-100hp tractors.

Most of the tractor talk at Agritechnica was about new high-HP models from the major players. At the opposite end of the power scale, TAFE (Tractors and Farm Equipment Ltd) was keener to focus on tractors below 100hp. This segment is the largest volume market worldwide, and accounts for 50-60% of the one million tractors sold in India in 2025.

This vision to become the global leader in this segment was behind the flurry of new TAFE tractors at the German show. These included 6065 (65hp) and 7515 GE (75hp), and 1015 (103hp). The latter not only marks the company’s entry into the 100+hp category in Europe but is also the first 100hp TAFE tractor with a cab in Europe.

The 7515 is assembled in Turkey. The first of the new 75hp tractors will be delivered early in 2026, and they could be available in other European countries at some point.

Equipped with a 103hp Stage V Deutz engine and 30fx15r Power Shuttle, rear lift capacity is 4.0t. Both tractor and cab are engineered and made in India. The first units will be available from 2027.

From humble beginnings in 1960 with one tractor model and a production of 3,000 units, the number of TAFE, Eicher, IMT and Massey Ferguson (TAFE has exclusive ownership of the Massey brand in India, Nepal and Bhutan) tractors produced annually now tops 200,000. The plants made 30,000 tractors in both September and October. That’s 1,000 tractors a day or one every minute!

The Indian tractor market is expected to rise at 5-6% a year for the next decade. It is not long ago that 31-40hp tractors were the most popular in India. Today, this has risen to 45-50hp, and the signs point to a further rise in power in the coming years.

85% of the tractors made by TAFE are for the important domestic market where the brand enjoys the second largest share. The other 15% is exported to 80 countries and TAFE is strong in Africa and has a good presence in Asia and the Americas.

Now the family-run business is gearing up to increase exports by 5-6% a year for the next decade and expand its footprint to other areas of the world. Europe and the UK are seen as an important next step in TAFE’s global journey, the road map of which began in 2022.

“Europe sets the standards for the rest of the world and is the gateway to the world of tomorrow,” says Mallika Srinivasan, chairman and managing director of TAFE.

oday, the 13 distributors a 200+ dealer network provide a presence in 20 European countries. Turkey is a big success story. “We are making good steps in going forward and now have 35 dealers in place in Turkey,” comments Mallika Srinivasan, chairman and managing director of TAFE.

An opportunity to chat with the head of one of the world’s largest tractor manufacturers has always been high on the wish list and Agritechnica provided the ideal opportunity for a one to one during a lunchtime meeting. While tucking into a delicious vegetable curry, Mallika spoke frankly about the company’s philosophy and plans for Europe.

“We need good market penetration, believe in long term partners and want a network that is aligned with our growth plans,” she said. “We are patient for the long term, are very focused, and will invest in our market networks to improve service and after sales.”

She confirmed that more than 2,000 TAFE tractors have been sold in Europe since the first one was delivered in June 2023, and the brand already enjoys an 8.5% market share of the growing sub-30hp compact and specialist tractor markets in Germany and Portugal.

“You can be sure we will do our best to do as well above 30hp, and our goal is to be the global leader in the sub-100hp segment,” she continues. “This is also our approach to Europe where there are lots of opportunities for us.”

Speaking of Europe, some of the major players used Agritechnica to bolster their sub-100hp tractors with a CVT. Mrs Mallika would not be drawn on any plans to offer such a transmission in one of its tractors.

One area where the head of the family business is making more noise is with an electric drivetrain. “We want to be pioneers in the electric tractor segment in Europe.”

The 75hp EVX75 hybrid combines a Deutz Stage V diesel and a 400v electric battery.

TAFE entered the European market with Stage V, electric, and concept hydrogen tractors at Agritechnica 2023. A more powerful hybrid tractor was unveiled at this year’s show – the 75hp EVX75.

Described as a good hybrid solution, it combines a Deutz Stage V diesel and a 400v electric battery. The dual powertrain allows the tractor to operate in both full electric or hybrid mode and the three-speed transmission reaches a top speed of 40km/hr. The EVX75 will be available from 2027.

TAFE is not only looking to sell more tractors but also more engines and has plans to scale up current production of 325,000 engines a year to 400,000 within the next 3-4 years.

There are also plans to grow the farm equipment business. Rice is a major crop in India and one where the company plans to offer a full portfolio of equipment. Working closely with a Japanese manufacturer, a transplanter is already available, and a TAFE rice harvester is coming.

CKD kits from India for tractors up to 100hp are assembled at the TAFE plant in Turkey.

With a tractor assembly plant in Turkey and a new one up and running in Mexico, the company also collaborates with Deutz Ag with engines. Significant investments are also being made in precision technology, automation, alternative energies and Terra Vista, the company’s vision-based guidance system as the company moves from a tractor to a farm solution company.

The company is hungry to grow in Europe and all the tools needed to achieve this would appear to be in place. The burning question now is will we ever see a more powerful range of TAFE tractors in Europe? Most of the Chinese tractor makers at Agritechnica spoke of plans to raise the power in stages to the 150hp mark, some even higher.

If TAFE is serious about Europe, then surely it will also need to look higher up the power scale? “Tractors up to 100hp are the focus for now,” confirms the TAFE boss, adding that they will plug any perceived gaps in the European portfolio and continue to expand the product ranges.

Main picture: The 103hp 1015 is the most powerful tractor so far for the European market, and the first with a cab.

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