Tata Motors Launches India’s First Fully Made Luxury Electric SUV

Tata Group has marked a historic milestone in India’s automotive journey with the inauguration of a ₹9,000-crore Jaguar Land Rover manufacturing plant in Tamil Nadu. The facility will produce India’s first fully made luxury electric SUV, strengthen domestic EV manufacturing, and generate nearly 5,000 jobs while boosting exports.

Tata Motors, JLR Inaugurate ₹9,000-Crore EV Plant in Tamil Nadu

India has taken a major step forward in electric vehicle manufacturing as Tata Motors-owned Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) inaugurated its new ₹9,000-crore greenfield manufacturing plant at Panapakkam in Ranipet district, Tamil Nadu.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin and Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran jointly flagged off production at the facility, which spans over 470 acres. The plant is positioned to play a key role in India’s transition toward next-generation mobility solutions.

Commenting on the development, Stalin said it marked Tamil Nadu as a “global destination” for advanced vehicle manufacturing.

India Set to Build Its First Fully Made Luxury Electric SUV

End of Imports and Assembly Kits

The Panapakkam facility will manufacture India’s first fully made luxury electric SUV, a significant shift for the domestic premium EV segment. Until now, Indian buyers largely relied on imports or semi-knocked-down kits for luxury electric vehicles.

By producing high-end electric SUVs entirely in India, Tata Motors and JLR aim to localise manufacturing, reduce dependency on imports, and strengthen India’s premium EV ecosystem.

Production Capacity and Job Creation

5,000 Jobs and 2.5 Lakh Vehicles Annually

The new JLR plant has a production capacity of around 2.5 lakh vehicles per annum, covering both internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles and electric vehicles for domestic sales and exports.

The project is expected to generate nearly 5,000 direct and indirect jobs, providing a major boost to employment and skill development in the region.

Strategic Location to Boost Exports

Connectivity to Industrial Corridor and Ports

The facility is strategically located along the Chennai-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor, with access to Krishnapatnam Port in Kutchiganadam and the Bay of Bengal. This connectivity is expected to reduce logistics costs and speed up vehicle exports.

An analyst told Source that the plant “will reduce waiting periods for customers while offering cheaper prices”, further strengthening JLR’s competitiveness in India.

Electric Vehicles Key to India’s 2030 Vision

Industry experts believe that local production of luxury EVs will play a critical role in India’s ambition to become a global EV manufacturing hub by 2030.

“Electric vehicles will get an impetus and when such a big company is setting up its unit in the country, it shows our capability and competency,” said Vinkesh Gulia, President of the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA).

More Tata and JLR Electric Vehicles Expected

Future Models and Electrification Plans

While JLR has not officially disclosed which models will be produced at the plant, industry speculation suggests vehicles such as the Range Rover Evoque could soon be manufactured in India.

Currently, JLR assembles models like the Defender and Discovery Sport. Going forward, Tata Motors and JLR are expected to accelerate electric vehicle launches as the group targets full electrification by 2030.

“This initial investment not only gives us an opportunity to create meaningful, skilled jobs in India but will also enable JLR India to lead the innovation journey,” a JLR spokesperson said.