This study investigates the nature of collaboration between industry and academia in the Indian automotive sector through detailed case studies of three original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), two component manufacturers and three academic research groups, all actively involved in innovation.  The level and nature of collaboration between academic research and industry in the Indian automotive sector can be explained by the nature of the technology, the locus of technical decision making in this sector, the maturity level of Indian companies, and the maturity of academic research itself. The study finds that the most prevalent form of collaboration between companies and academia is competency development and training while the second most prevalent form is the provision of research services (testing and analytical services). Research partnerships between industry and academia are uncommon. In such a context, government support for research partnerships can bring industry and academia closer together, and create a stage for future collaboration, but commercialization of technology is unlikely.