Hella, one of the world's leading automotive suppliers for lighting and electronics, is fast expanding its development and production footprint in India. While it is building its second electronics plant near the city of Mehsana in the state of Gujarat, it has recently inaugurated an additional development centre for automotive lighting technology in Coimbatore.

"The investments serve to increase Hella's presence in one of the fastest growing automotive markets in the world,” said Hella CEO Dr. Rolf Breidenbach. "This will enable us to meet the growing demand for lighting and electronics products even better while providing custom-made solutions for the Indian market."

Dr. Naveen Gautam, managing director of Hella India, added: "The expansion is a clear commitment of Hella to the Indian market and its trust in Indian opportunities. With the new automotive trends, especially for e-mobility, we expect increasing demand of our products and solutions."

 
Mehsana plant to make accelerator pedal sensors for domestic market
Hella says the additional electronics plant near Mehsana in the state of Gujarat allows Hella increasing its proximity to important customers, especially in the west and south of India. The region is considered as an up-and-coming economic location with increasing significance for the automotive industry.

The plant opening is slated to open in early 2019. During the first expansion phase, the location will comprise a production surface of roughly 4,000 square metres and employ about 100 persons. Investments for this first phase will total approximately five million euros. Initially, the plant will mostly produce accelerator pedal sensors for the domestic market. During the second phase, other products are additionally planned.

Coimbatore facility complements Chennai unit 
Complementing the existing lighting development site in Chennai, the company has, in mid-2017, additionally opened a new development centre for automotive lighting technology in Coimbatore. The new location focuses primarily on developing headlamps, rear combination lamps, lighting modules and lighting electronics. The development team in Coimbatore is anticipated to increase to more than 200 employees over the coming years.

Hella has been present in India since the 1980s. Currently, the company employs more than 1,700 persons at a total of six locations.

Also read: Hella India Automotive to ride high demand for electronics in vehicles