Some companies have embarked down the exporting route, though. Korean car maker Hyundai Motor's factory in India was built as an exporting base a decade ago, and it currently account for one tenth of the group's global sales.
The company has planted a tropical garden on site, complete with Korean vegetable plots, pig and poultry farms used by the Korean kitchen, and relaxing waterfalls and waterfeatures where workers and executives can relax.
The high volume produced here enables one shift to concentrate on making just one body part, say door panels. This means the same equipment can be used throughout the shift, which saves time and improves efficiency.
Hyundai currently produces 300,000 cars per year, though this will double to 600,000 cars once a second factory, which will open this year, is up and running.
Hyundai aims to export 300,000 cars per year by 2008, whilst the remaining 300,000 vehicles will be sold in India through its dealership. Currently, the company has 150 dealers here, though it is in the process of opening a further 50.
Text and photos: Jorn Madslien, BBC News.
