Delhi

Tata JLR Tamil Nadu plant foundation stone to be laid on September 28

The foundation stone will be laid by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin.

2 min read•16 Sep '24

Autocar India News Desk

9K+ views

Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin will lay the foundation stone of Tata Motors-JLR's new Rs 9,000 crore plant in the state on September 28.

New plant's focus to be EVs for Tata Motors and Jaguar Land Rover
Total annual production capacity expected to be around 3 lakh units

As we reported in April, this plant is part of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between Tata Motors and the Tamil Nadu government and is likely to have a minimum capacity of 2,00,000 units in its first phase.

Sources indicate that this facility will primarily focus on producing electric vehicles based on the Electrified Modular Architecture (EMA) platform for both Jaguar Land Rover and Tata Motors.

According to industry insiders, the production capacity is planned to be divided, with approximately two-thirds allocated to Jaguar Land Rover and one-third to Tata Motors. A significant portion of the JLR output is likely to be designated for overseas markets, potentially leveraging the upcoming India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) currently in progress.

The new manufacturing facility is part of a larger commitment by the Tata Group, which has pledged an investment of Rs 1.5 lakh crore in Jaguar Land Rover over the coming decade. This investment aligns with the group's strategy to transition Jaguar into an all-electric brand while ensuring that the majority of the Land Rover portfolio will have electric alternatives by 2026.

Industry experts suggest that this project could potentially involve the production of at least four models each from Tata Motors and Jaguar Land Rover over the next decade. The total volume is estimated to reach around 3,00,000 units, with a significant portion planned for export.

In a related development, Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Ltd and Jaguar Land Rover previously signed an MoU for the licensing of JLR's EMA platform. This agreement includes provisions for electrical architecture, electric drive units, battery packs, and manufacturing know-how, which will be crucial for the development of Tata's upcoming born-electric vehicles.

The EMA platform, first announced by JLR in 2021, is designed to accommodate advanced driver assistance systems and extensive cloud connectivity. It boasts features such as Software Over The Air (SOTA) capabilities, Level 2+ autonomy, and a highly integrated propulsion system with cell-to-pack battery technology.

While Tata Motors has not officially commented on these speculations, the upcoming plant in Tamil Nadu is poised to play a critical role in India's electric vehicle manufacturing landscape. The project is expected to create around 25,000 to 30,000 jobs in the region, significantly boosting local employment.

As preparations for the September 28 ceremony continue, basic infrastructure work is already underway at the site. This proactive approach aims to ensure a smooth and timely execution of this transformative industrial venture, further cementing Tamil Nadu's position as a key manufacturing hub in India's rapidly evolving automotive sector.