Would you buy a car with premium interiors, hi-tech features, and a rusting skeleton? That’s the hidden trade-off most Indian car buyers unknowingly make every day. While Indian consumers splurge on sunroofs, infotainment systems, and alloy wheels, the car’s core – the steel body, often lacks the basic protection it needs to withstand India’s punishing weather.

With over 380 million registered vehicles on Indian roads and counting, corrosion is quietly shortening vehicle lifespans, raising maintenance costs, and undermining resale values. Most buyers don’t realize that over 70% of a car is steel, and without proper protection, steel rusts fast, especially in India’s humid, coastal, and rain-soaked conditions.

Now here’s the shocker: while 80% of cars made for export in India are zinc-galvanized, protecting them against corrosion, less than 25% of cars sold within India receive the same treatment. This means Indian buyers are paying global prices but getting second-tier protection.

Zinc galvanization, a process where steel is coated with zinc, offers powerful, long-term defense. The zinc not only forms a barrier but also sacrifices itself to shield the steel (cathodic protection), even when scratched. It boosts the car’s crash strength, reduces maintenance, and protects against rust—rain or shine.

A study by IIT Bombay and the International Zinc Association found that non-galvanized vehicles experience up to 65% corrosion in just five years, compared to only 7% in galvanized ones. And yet, anti-rust warranties are almost non-existent in India.

Painted bodies chip. Coatings peel. Rust creeps in. The cost to galvanize? Just 0.1% of a car’s price, a tiny investment for a longer-lasting, safer vehicle. It reduces repairs, preserves resale value, and ensures your car doesn’t fall apart from the inside out.

This monsoon, ask one powerful question before buying: “Is this car galvanized?”

As India rises as a global automotive force and zinc demand is projected to grow 22% by 2030, it’s time for carmakers to prioritize longevity, not just looks.

Because your car isn’t just a ride, it’s a long-term investment. And without zinc, it’s an investment that could literally rot away.