Tata Motors and JLR to manufacture EVs in India for the world market: N Chandrasekaran

In a recent interview with 'Autocar', Chandrasekaran underscored how the group aims to leverage the "cost attitude" and premium quality of both brands to achieve a "sweet spot" in the global EV market.

After years of exploring synergies, Tata Motors and JLR have now finalized plans to manufacture EVs in India.

Chandrasekaran revealed that two distinct models based on JLR’s Electrified Modular Architecture (EMA) platform will be produced in India—one by each automaker.

He also confirmed that JLR cars would be exported from the Sanand facility in Gujarat.

While keeping additional details under wraps, Chandrasekaran hinted at "bigger aspirations" for both companies, with more information on Tata Motors' export plans expected next year.

Sanand, where Tata Motors has acquired a former Ford Motors facility, is expected to roll out the first vehicle based on the EMA platform, likely the Avinya model, which will be sold in India and internationally.

JLR, which already operates manufacturing plants in the UK, Europe, and China, has outlined its roadmap for electrification.

According to Tata Motors' FY24 annual report, the new EMA and Jaguar Electrified Architecture will debut in 2025, as the company transitions towards an electric-first strategy.

By 2030, all of its brands are expected to offer fully electric options.

JLR's Merseyside plant in the UK will become its first all-electric manufacturing facility, with Solihull producing electric Jaguars.

Additionally, the Nitra plant in Slovakia will be updated for electric vehicle production by 2030.

As part of its sustainability efforts, JLR is working with partners and suppliers to reduce emissions by 46% in its operations and 54% per vehicle across its value chain.

In addition to Sanand, a new Rs 9,000 crore joint facility between Tata Motors and JLR is being developed in Tamil Nadu, which could also serve as a manufacturing hub for exports. Official announcements on this project are expected later this month.

Tata Passenger Electric Mobility has committed several billion dollars toward EV investments through the end of this decade, while JLR has planned a capital expenditure of over £15 billion over the next five years.

Chandrasekaran also addressed the current slowdown in EV sales, attributing it to a temporary, cyclical downturn. Despite a tough FY25, where Tata Motors saw a 13.9% decline in EV sales during the first quarter, he remained optimistic about the future.

“If we have to do anything in India, electric vehicles should be prioritised, because we have the maximum number of polluted cities worldwide. As many as 14 out of the 20 (such cities) are in India. So, if we have to solve this problem, in all our companies, we have to pivot,” he said, adding that by 2030 EV penetration in Tata Motors sales would be 30 percent.

Chandrasekaran also highlighted that the entire Tata Group, not just Tata Motors, is pivoting towards green energy.

“We also decided that in Tata Power, we would not put capex in coal. All our capex will go into renewables.”