Introduction:

TikTok is no longer just a platform for viral dances and lip-syncs. Today, it’s the modern playground for brands to tell stories, spark conversation, and create emotional connections with audiences. And when it comes to cars, TikTok is transforming the way people perceive, engage with, and even fall in love with vehicles.

From bustling streets of Mumbai to scenic hill drives in Lonavala, from Goan highways to quiet town roads in Kerala, Indian car enthusiasts are scrolling, sharing, and creating content at an unprecedented scale. Brands are tapping into this culture through tiktok influencer collaborations and user-generated content, making cars feel more than just machines—they’re lifestyle companions.

In this article, we’ll explore 10 Automotive Brands Crushing Their TikTok Marketing, diving deep into their strategies, campaigns, and lessons Indian marketers can learn. We’ll also show how platforms like Hobo.Video are revolutionizing influencer marketing and UGC videos for Indian automotive brands.

1. Why TikTok Became the New Race Track for Automotive Brands

TikTok’s formula is simple yet incredibly powerful: short-form videos that engage, entertain, and inspire participation. A 15–60 second video can reach millions of users in hours. For automotive brands, this is a golden opportunity.

Consider Hyundai or Kia—their TikTok engagement rates in India are3–5 times higher than Instagram campaigns, showing that the platform rewards creativity and relatability. Indian audiences, particularly millennials and Gen Z, aren’t just scrolling—they’re engaging, sharing, and recreating.

What makes TikTok a game-changer? User-generated content. People trust real experiences over glossy ads. When a user shares a video of their Tata Nexon conquering Mumbai traffic or a Hyundai Creta on a scenic Lonavala drive, it resonates far more than any traditional ad ever could. TikTok gives brands a personality, a voice, and a human touch.

2. The Power of UGC in Automotive Social Media Campaigns

Nothing sells a car better than seeing someone like you enjoying it. User-generated content (UGC) is now the backbone of the best automotive social media campaigns.

Platforms like Hobo.Video enable brands to create AI UGC and manageinfluencer campaignsseamlessly. Imagine a Kia Sonet owner posting a weekend getaway video, or a Tata Nexon family trip going viral—these real moments create relatability, trust, and engagement.

The beauty of UGC is that it transforms passive viewers into participants. It humanizes brands and encourages audiences to tell their own stories. And TikTok’s algorithm loves it: authentic, user-generated content is shared more, viewed more, and engaged with more than polished brand ads.

3. Top 10 Automotive Brands Crushing Their TikTok Marketing

Let’s start with the first five brands that are defining automotive TikTok campaigns in India. Each has its unique style, audience approach, and creative hook.

3.1. Hyundai – Mini-Movies on Wheels

Hyundai turned TikTok campaigns into storytelling mini-movies. Their #CretaOnTheGo challenge encouraged users to share videos of everyday life with their Creta—school runs, weekend trips, shopping hauls, even monsoon drives with muddy puddles splashing around.

By combining tiktok influencer collaborations and UGC videos, Hyundai amassed over25 million views in a month. What worked? Relatability. The campaign wasn’t shouting “buy our car”—it was saying, “Here’s how a Creta fits into your life.”

Key takeaway: Let customers tell the story. Authenticity drives engagement more than product specs.

3.2. BMW – Aspirational Yet Approachable

BMW used the #BMWXChallenge to show their cars in lifestyle contexts—cruising through Mumbai city lights, scenic hill drives, or showcasing custom interiors.

Lifestyle influencers amplified the reach, and within weeks, BMW achieved 4.2 million interactions. The approach was clever: make luxury aspirational, not distant. Viewers could imagine themselves behind the wheel, living that lifestyle.

Key takeaway: Even premium brands can humanize themselves with stories that audiences relate to.

3.3. Tata Motors – India’s Relatable Hero

Tata’s #DriveWithTata campaign invited users to showcase everyday experiences—from commuting to city adventures to weekend escapes. Collaborating with top influencers in India, Tata amplified reach while keeping the content authentic.

Over 15,000 user-generated videos rolled in, proving Indian brands can create campaigns as engaging as global competitors.

Key takeaway: Know your audience. Local relevance and relatability create trust.

3.4. Kia – Trendy, Fun, and Youth-Oriented

Kia’s #KiaLife challenge tapped into youth culture. Music-driven TikTok trends, micro-influencers, and fun, lifestyle-oriented content propelled campaigns to 12 million views. Videos showcased Kia Seltos and Sonet in urban adventures, spontaneous road trips, and relatable everyday use.

Key takeaway: Make your brand part of the lifestyle, not just a product.

3.5. Mahindra – Adventure First

Mahindra focused on thrill and adventure. The #TharAdventures challenge showcased off-road trips, camping, and scenic drives in SUVs like Thar and Scorpio-N.

Combining influencers with UGC videos, Mahindra achieved 3.8 million engagements. Users weren’t just watching—they were participating, sharing their own adventure clips.

Key takeaway: If your product has a lifestyle angle, let it shine in real user stories.

3.6. Mercedes-Benz – Luxury That Feels Human

Mercedes-Benz’s #BenzLife campaign invited users to showcase morning drives, scenic weekends, and urban explorations. By blending tiktok influencer collaborations with UGC videos, Mercedes-Benz achieved 20 million global views, including thousands from India.

Mini-story: One user in Pune posted a sunrise drive in a Benz, ending with chai by a hilltop. Simple, relatable, aspirational. That’s humanized luxury.

Key takeaway: Luxury sells better when it’s experienced, not just displayed.

3.7. Audi – Speed, Style, and Lifestyle

Audi’s #AudiDrive challenge invited users to showcase dynamic drives in cityscapes and scenic roads. Influencer tie-ups helped spread reach while maintaining relatability.

Results: 5 million interactions. Audi demonstrated that luxury lifestyle storytelling works best when users feel they can live it themselves.

Key takeaway: Aspirational yet approachable content wins.

3.8. Toyota – Everyday Relatability

Toyota’s #ToyotaLife campaign focused on family trips, school runs, and spontaneous weekend getaways. UGC videos captured humor, scenic drives, and everyday joys, producing over 10,000 original videos.

Key takeaway: Authentic, everyday storytelling is more persuasive than polished ads.

3.9. Jeep – Adventure, Not Ads

Jeep’s #JeepJourneys challenge encouraged off-road adventures, camping, and scenic drives. Combining UGC videos and influencer campaigns, Jeep amassed 7 million views. Users weren’t spectators—they became part of a community.

Key takeaway: Lifestyle-aligned products thrive when you encourage audience participation.

3.10. Maruti Suzuki – Mass Appeal, Maximum Relatability

Maruti Suzuki’s #MarutiOnTheMove campaign showcased family trips, city commutes, and urban lifestyle moments. Collaborating with regional influencers, Maruti reached tier-2 and tier-3 cities, generating 15 million views.

Key takeaway: Make your audience feel included. Relatability drives engagement more than spectacle.

4. Lessons from the Best Automotive Social Media Campaigns

• UGC is king – Authentic stories outperform polished ads.
• Influencer partnerships amplify – Micro for relatability, macro for aspiration.
• Short-form storytelling wins – TikTok favors creativity and quick engagement.
• Local relevance matters – Indian audiences resonate with culturally relatable content.
• Consistency builds loyalty – Frequent, thematic posting keeps audiences engaged.

5. How Indian Automotive Brands Can Win TikTok in 2025

1. Leverage AI-powered UGC – Platforms like Hobo.Video enable scalable, authentic campaigns.
2. Strategic influencer tie-ups – Partner with top influencers in India for reach and relatability.
3. Ride trends naturally – Use challenges, trending hashtags, and music without losing authenticity.
4. Tell real stories – Highlight everyday adventures, family moments, or aspirational lifestyles.
5. Measure and iterate – Track engagement, shares, and participation to refine campaigns.

Even small brands can create viral campaigns by prioritizing storytelling, authenticity, and creativity.

Conclusion & Insights

TikTok has transformed automotive marketing. The 10 Automotive Brands Crushing Their TikTok Marketing demonstrate the power of authenticity, UGC videos, and influencer partnerships.

Key Takeaways:

• Let real users tell your story.
• Collaborate strategically with influencers.
• Localize content for Indian audiences.
• Track metrics and iterate fast.

TikTok isn’t just a platform—it’s a storytelling stage where cars become companions, adventures, and lifestyle icons.

About Hobo.Video

Hobo.Videois India’s leading AI-powered influencer marketing and UGC platform. With 2.25 million creators, it provides end-to-end campaign management for brand growth. Combining AI with human strategy ensures maximum ROI.

Services include:

• Influencer marketing
• UGC content creation
• Celebrity endorsements
• Product feedback and testing
• Marketplace reputation management
• Regional and niche campaigns

Trusted by Himalaya, Wipro, Symphony, Baidyanath, and Good Glamm Group, Hobo.Video empowers brands to craft campaigns people actually want to share.

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