Inside Tamil Nadu’s new luxury auto hub: Range Rover evoque rolls out of Tata–JLR plant

Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles and Jaguar Land Rover Automotive Plc (JLR) have inaugurated a new greenfield manufacturing facility at Panapakkam, Tamil Nadu, marking a strategic expansion of premium vehicle production capabilities in India.

The Panapakkam plant, located around 80 km from Chennai, is positioned to serve as a key assembly hub for JLR vehicles. Currently, JLR assembles cars in Pune using CKD kits, which will continue alongside the new facility.

The factory commenced operations with the first Range Rover Evoque rolling off its assembly line. This launch signifies the operational readiness of the plant and marks the beginning of local assembly for both Tata and JLR vehicles.

Tata Motors has committed a total investment of approximately Rs 9,000 crore in phases for the Panapakkam facility. The investment will support the expansion of manufacturing capacity and future technology integration over the next several years.

The new plant aims to scale up its production to 2.5 lakh vehicles over five to seven years. This capacity will cater to the growing demand for premium passenger vehicles in both domestic and international markets.

The Panapakkam facility will manufacture vehicles for both Tata Passenger Vehicles and JLR, including electric models. This allows the company to expand its portfolio and strengthen its presence in the premium and EV segments.

The new plant is expected to generate around 5,000 direct and indirect jobs, supporting the growth of a local supplier ecosystem and contributing to regional economic development through manufacturing and ancillary industries.

India is a key growth market for JLR. The establishment of this facility underlines India’s strategic role in the brand’s global expansion plans, helping Jaguar and Range Rover achieve higher volumes and capture premium segment demand.

The facility is designed for long-term growth. Over the next five years, additional models and new technologies will be introduced, leveraging the greenfield site to implement advanced manufacturing processes and expand production capabilities.

Local assembly and expanded capacity are expected to strengthen JLR’s presence in India’s fast-growing premium vehicle market. This initiative will improve competitiveness, reduce reliance on imports, and accelerate access to new models for Indian consumers.