Ashok Leyland, a flagship company of the Hinduja Group and one of India's largest commercial vehicle manufacturers, has commenced construction of a new battery pack manufacturing facility at Pillaipakkam, located near Chennai in Tamil Nadu. The groundbreaking ceremony took place on March 11, 2026, and was attended by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Thiru M.K. Stalin, who unveiled the foundation plaque, and Minister for Industries Thiru T.R.B. Rajaa, along with senior officials from state industry bodies and company leadership.

The project is expected to require an investment of ₹400–500 crore and is part of a broader commitment by the Hinduja Group under a memorandum of understanding signed with the Tamil Nadu government in September 2025. According to the company, the facility is designed to produce battery packs for electric commercial vehicles and aligns with Tamil Nadu's Electric Vehicle Policy 2023 as well as India's National Mission on Transformative Mobility and Battery Storage.

Ashok Leyland's Executive Chairman, Dheeraj Hinduja, stated that the groundbreaking represents a continuation of the company's long-standing presence in Tamil Nadu and its efforts to build domestic capacity in the electric vehicle supply chain. MD & CEO Shenu Agarwal noted that the facility is intended to advance battery pack solutions with improved efficiency, safety, and reliability, while also supporting supply chain localisation and technical workforce development in the state.

The company stated that the new plant is intended to complement its existing manufacturing footprint in the region. Ashok Leyland currently operates nine facilities across Tamil Nadu, spanning over 800 acres, and reports having invested more than ₹9,000 crore in the state over its 77-year history, generating over 37,000 jobs. Its subsidiary, Switch Mobility, has been involved in the development of electric buses and light commercial vehicles.