US-based semiconductor giant Qualcomm is taking a significant step to localise automotive module production in India, aiming to strengthen its partnerships with Tier-1 ecosystem players shifting their manufacturing bases into the country.
Speaking to a news agecy, Nakul Duggal, Group General Manager for Automotive, Industrial, and Embedded IoT at Qualcomm Technologies, revealed that the company is investing heavily to support domestic automotive manufacturers.
"We build a lot of modules. Those modules are typically built in Taiwan, or China, or Korea, but we are now actively working in India to localise this. We, of course, partner with our Tier 1 ecosystem, such that as they move their manufacturing to India, we have been supporting them," Duggal said.
Qualcomm operates as a fabless semiconductor company, focusing on chip design while outsourcing manufacturing to third-party foundries. Duggal emphasised the strategic importance of enhancing supply chain opportunities in India:
"For us, it's really about being able to create opportunities in our supply chain to be able to direct that (manufacture)."
The company boasts around 22,000 employees in India, making up 60% of its global workforce. Qualcomm has established a strong local engineering team dedicated to supporting Indian automotive OEMs such as Tata Motors, Mahindra, Maruti Suzuki, and Hyundai.
Qualcomm is aggressively advancing its Snapdragon Elite chipset platform for telematics, infotainment, and driver assistance, including Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS).
In 2026, Duggal expects a dozen vehicles to integrate Snapdragon Cockpit Elite and Snapdragon Ride Elite SoCs, which were announced in October 2024 and shipped to customers in early 2025.
Duggal pointed out India’s dual advantage of hosting both domestic and global automakers that manufacture locally. He highlighted the importance of designing region-specific automotive products rather than importing global-standard solutions:
"There is a huge need for building products that cater to the needs of the Indian region. Rather than bringing in a product that is built for a global customer, build a product for a local customer... we are starting to see that happen."
He also noted that China has gained a competitive edge by following this localised product development strategy—something India can replicate for long-term growth.
The automotive business currently contributes around 10% of Qualcomm’s global revenue—between USD 3.6 billion to USD 3.8 billion. The company aims to double this figure to USD 8 billion by 2029, reflecting its bullish stance on the EV and connected car market.
Qualcomm to localise automotive module manufacturing in India.
Partnerships with Tier-1 suppliers as they move production to India.
Focus on EV and connected car technologies with Snapdragon platforms.
Strong collaborations with leading Indian automakers.
Ambitious USD 8 billion automotive revenue target by 2029.
Qualcomm’s decision to localise automotive module manufacturing in India marks a strategic milestone for both the company and the country’s automotive sector.
By aligning closely with Tier-1 suppliers and leading OEMs such as Tata Motors, Mahindra, Maruti Suzuki, and Hyundai, the US semiconductor major is not only strengthening its supply chain but also fostering innovation tailored to India’s market needs.
The integration of cutting-edge platforms like Snapdragon Cockpit Elite and Snapdragon Ride Elite into future vehicles underscores Qualcomm’s commitment to driving advancements in infotainment, telematics, and ADAS technologies.
With a workforce that already constitutes 60% of its global strength, India stands to gain significantly in terms of employment, skill development, and technological self-reliance.
As the company sets its sights on doubling automotive revenues to USD 8 billion by 2029, Qualcomm’s localisation strategy could position India as a global hub for next-generation automotive technology and connected mobility solutions.