Tata Motors to Establish Electric Vehicle Export Hub in Tamil Nadu
Tata Motors, the Indian automotive conglomerate, is set to establish Tamil Nadu as its export hub for electric vehicles (EVs) from Jaguar Land Rover (JLR). With a projected investment of Rs 90 billion, the company is expected to lay the foundation stone for this groundbreaking project by September.
Manufacturing Premium Vehicles in India
This undertaking marks a significant milestone, as it will be the first time a complete premium vehicle will be manufactured in India, rather than assembled. The manufacturing facility, located near Panapakkam in the Ranipet district, covers an expansive space of over 400 acres. Its strategic location within the Chennai-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor, connecting Hosur and Chennai, offers easy access to the Chennai and Ennore ports.
Operational Readiness and Timeline
Once construction commences, the project is estimated to be completed within 12-18 months. Industry experts suggest that this could mean the facility will be operational by late 2025 or early 2026. The foundation stone laying ceremony is anticipated to be officiated by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin.
Unveiling the Product Line
While the specific products to be manufactured at the facility have not yet been announced, Tata Motors aims to produce “Made in India” models based on the Electrified Modular Architecture (EMA) from JLR for export. Additionally, Tata EVs based on the EMA architecture will be part of the production line. More detailed information about the models is yet to be disclosed.
Expanding the Export Territory
Tata Motors’ venture into EV exports aligns with the recent endeavor of French automaker Citroen, which has also started exporting EVs manufactured in India to international markets. On the other hand, within the internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle segment, JLR’s Pune facility currently produces completely-knocked-down (CKD) units of various models, including Range Rover Velar, Evoque, Jaguar F-PACE, and Discovery Sport. Recently, they have added Range Rover and Range Rover Sport to their production line.
Building a Supportive Ecosystem
Industry experts anticipate that Tata Motors will capitalize on the existing ecosystem provided by Hyundai Motor India (HMIL) and Renault Nissan Automotive India, along with their own suppliers. This collaboration is expected to rejuvenate the existing ecosystem to meet Tata Motors-JLR standards. Furthermore, the state government is dedicated to establishing the appropriate ecosystem and policies that suit the requirements of original equipment manufacturers and vendors.
Strategic Significance in the Chennai-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor
The Tata Motors project plays a vital role in the development of the Chennai-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor, which is one of India’s five upcoming mega-industrial corridors. This expansive region is supported by key infrastructure projects such as the Bengaluru-Chennai expressway and Bengaluru-Chennai Dedicated Freight Corridor. The expressway, estimated to demand an investment of approximately Rs 180 billion, is projected to be completed by December. With enhanced connectivity along this corridor, travel time between Hoskote in the Bangalore Metropolitan Region and Sriperumbudur in the Chennai Metropolitan Area is anticipated to be significantly reduced.
“The industrial belts in this region are well diversified, ranging from the automobile sector in Sriperumbudur, India’s EV hub in Hosur, the leather industry in Vellore, to the upcoming footwear hub in Panapakkam,” shared an industry source.
This ambitious project by Tata Motors reinforces India’s growing prominence in the global EV manufacturing industry, as it steadily progresses towards sustainable mobility solutions.
