What does it take to steer change in an industry built on motion but defined by resilience? Sameer Malhotra’s journey answers that question with quiet conviction and bold impact. For over 35 years, he has been at the forefront of India’s evolving transport ecosystem—navigating its complexities, celebrating its triumphs, and driving innovation where it was long overdue. To him, it was never just about moving vehicles, but about building trust, embracing technology, and empowering communities across the nation.
India’s used vehicle and equipment market, once fragmented and trust-deficient, has transformed into a structured, transparent, and tech-driven ecosystem. At the heart of this evolution stands Sameer Malhotra, the driving force behind Shriram Automall India Limited (SAMIL). With foresight and grit, he turned a loosely organized sector into a nationwide movement—making SAMIL a name synonymous with credibility and access.
His story isn’t just about business—it’s about reimagining possibilities for an industry that never stops moving.
Sameer Malhotra’s journey in road transport began in the late 1980s, when India’s logistics space was a scattered patchwork of small players and informal deals. At SREI Infrastructure Finance, he gained a deep understanding of the country’s infrastructure needs. His career took a defining turn when he became Country Manager for Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers, the world’s largest auctioneer of commercial assets and vehicles offering online bidding. In India, he turned this vision into reality by introducing physical vehicles and equipment auctions, witnessing how transparency and global best practices could revolutionise asset sales. These learnings became the seeds for something bigger back home.
In 2011, with the backing of Shriram Finance Limited (then Shriram Transport Finance Company Limited), Sameer Malhotra started Shriram Automall India Limited (SAMIL) and introduced a game-changing concept—India’s first physical auction platform for pre-owned vehicles and equipment. The inaugural Automall in Chennai on 26th February marked the beginning of a new era. What started as a single location has grown into 135+ Automalls across India, dramatically improving transparency and efficiency in the used vehicle sector. This helped organize the largely unorganized pre-owned sector. Today, the organized pre-owned market makes up nearly 20–30% of the total landscape, up from just 10% in 2011.
Over the past 14 years, SAMIL has transacted more than 23.5 lakh assets—from two-wheelers to commercial vehicles (CVs). In FY 2024–25 alone, the platform facilitated 6.4 lakh CV transactions, directly supporting small businesses, logistics operators, and self-made entrepreneurs. Malhotra’s vision was never just about vehicles; it was about enabling people to take charge of their futures—helping a truck driver become an owner, or a rural business owner gain access to reliable equipment.
SAMIL is probably the only auction platform conducting phygital bidding (physical+digital) for vehicles and equipment. Physical biddings happen at the Automalls present in Pan-India locations and digital bidding through the MySAMIL App and bids.samil.in. With innovations like the MySAMIL App, SMS Bidding, and ThePriceX (an AI-powered pricing tool), SAMIL has made the used vehicle journey smarter and more transparent. The acquisition of Augeo in 2020 expanded the company into industrial auctions, while its 2018 partnership with CarTrade Tech cemented SAMIL’s place as India’s largest phygital marketplace for vehicles and equipment.
Sameer Malhotra’s leadership extends beyond the bottom line. From SAMIL’s Junior Einstein scholarship programme to water-cooler installations and tree plantation drives, his vision reflects a community-first approach. He personally planted over 70 trees at various Automalls across India. Recognition—like the “CEO of the Year” award in 2021 and a Limca Book of Records entry—are proud milestones, but for Malhotra, the greatest reward remains the pride in the eyes of someone taking the wheel of their very first truck.
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From the beginning, SAMIL believed in technology not just as an enabler—but as a core differentiator. Today, AI and data intelligence are reshaping the auto ecosystem globally. SAMIL’s tools like ThePriceX are just the start—they’re now exploring predictive analytics, automation, and immersive auction experiences for the next phase.
In the developed countries like USA and Germany, the used-to-new car ratio stands at more than 2:1 with over 70% of the market organized. India, at 1.2:1, is catching up—and Sameer Malhotra is determined to accelerate that transition.
As SAMIL explores predictive analytics, automated inspections, and global auction platforms, the vision is crystal clear: To make India a global benchmark in the pre-owned automobile industry.
Despite its resilience, the industry faces hurdles. Supply chain bottlenecks and EV infrastructure gaps pose challenges, particularly for commercial vehicles that rely on robust charging networks. Yet, opportunities abound. Government initiatives, like rural electrification and scrappage policies, will boost pre-owned CV and EV adoption. By 2030, the used vehicle market is expected to reach 10.8 million units, growing at a 13% CAGR as mentioned in a report by Entrepreneur India.
What will fuel this growth? Innovation, collaboration, and a commitment to sustainability.
Sameer Malhotra’s vision for the road transport industry is rooted in innovation and inclusivity. He sees a future shaped by smarter, greener logistics—where AI and IoT transform fleet management and cross-border auction platforms unlock global opportunities in the pre-owned market. At SAMIL, the journey continues with bold investments in sustainability, from EV auctions to embracing circular economy models.
But at the heart of it all lies a simple yet powerful belief: mobility should be accessible, transparent, and empowering. For every driver, farmer, and entrepreneur, the road ahead must lead to opportunity. Because this industry isn’t just about transporting goods—it’s about transforming lives.
As we celebrate the legends of Indian transport, we salute Sameer Malhotra for not just moving with the times, but staying miles ahead of them.
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