Exclusive - JSW Motors Targets 2,000 Engineers by 2029, to Set Up a Full-Fledged R&D Centre

JSW Motors is scaling up its engineering operations in India as the Sajjan Jindal-led conglomerate prepares to enter the passenger vehicle market, with vehicles initially sold under a new JSW automotive brand and logo, before expanding into a broader multi-brand strategy.

The upcoming JSW brand will complement the MG Motor brand in which the group invested in 2024. While the maker of the Windsor and Hector will continue to operate on its own, JSW Motors plans to build a sizable R&D workforce from about 150 engineers currently to around 500 by 2027, eventually expanding to about 2,000 engineers by 2029 as it builds capabilities for full vehicle development in India.

“Our current R&D setup focuses on adapting and localising vehicles for the Indian market across areas such as ADAS, connected car technologies, and localisation of BIW, chassis aggregates, powertrain systems and high-voltage battery integration,” Chief Executive Officer Ranjan Nayak said in response to queries from Autocar Professional.

People aware of the development said the company is looking at Pune as the base for its technology and engineering centre, aligning with the city’s established automotive ecosystem.

“In line with our product and technology roadmap, over the longer term, JSW Motors intends to establish a state-of-the-art R&D facility in India by CY2029, expanding the team to around 2,000 engineers to support full vehicle development and new top-hat programmes,” he added.

JSW Brand to Lead Initial Launches

While the group is exploring partnerships with multiple global automakers, the first products are expected to be sold under the JSW brand, with the company developing its own automotive logo and brand identity.

Industry sources say JSW is evaluating vehicle platforms and architectures from several international manufacturers, including products from China’s Chery Group, as it works to build a portfolio for the Indian market.

Models previously reported by Autocar as potential candidates for India include the Jaecoo J5 SUV, Jetour T2 off-road SUV and the Chery iCar electric SUV, though final product plans are yet to be confirmed.

Over time, the group is looking to position its automotive business as a “house of brands”, bringing together multiple product lines and technology partnerships under the broader JSW automotive umbrella.

MG JV Part of Wider Strategy

The strategy also includes JSW MG Motor India, the joint venture between JSW Group and China’s SAIC Motor, which currently sells models such as the MG Comet EV, ZS EV, Hector and Gloster in the Indian market.

The company has been expanding its product lineup with newer models such as the MG Windsor EV, while premium offerings such as the MG Cyberster electric sports car are also part of its portfolio expansion. Autocar Professional had reported that JSW MG Motor, in February, on its own, would invest ₹3,000 to ₹4,000 crore over the next few years, with plans to add half a dozen new models and ramp up capacity to 300,000 units.

JSW-MG has reiterated its intent to go in for an initial public offering in the coming years as the business scales up.

Retail Strategy

Alongside product development, JSW Motors is working on a flexible retail model combining traditional dealerships with brand experience centres.

“We are adopting a dynamic and flexible retail strategy that combines traditional dealership formats with experience-led touchpoints. We are not viewing retail as a one-size-fits-all model,” Nayak said.

The company plans to calibrate the mix between dealerships and experience centres city by city, depending on product positioning, market maturity and customer expectations.

“The mix between dealerships and experience centres will be calibrated city by city, taking into account factors such as market maturity, product mix and customer expectations,” he said, adding that the first dealership is expected to open closer to the product launch timeline.

Aspirational Positioning

JSW Motors said its vehicles will be positioned as aspirational offerings, focusing on design, technology and advanced powertrains rather than competing purely on price.

“We understand that the Indian customer is not necessarily looking for the cheapest car but a car which gives them status, is emotionally appealing, and is future-ready in terms of gadgets and powertrain,” Nayak said.

“Customers want to spend money on the car they desire and expect OEMs to align with them. JSW Motors will be a full-stack player in the Indian market with aspirational and future-ready offerings.”

The company is evaluating multiple powertrain technologies, including plug-in hybrids and battery electric vehicles, reflecting what it sees as a gradual shift toward greener mobility in India.

“India’s shift towards greener mobility will be gradual and heterogeneous… multiple solutions will coexist for a meaningful period,” Nayak said.

“Within this framework, PHEVs, alongside EVs and other eco-friendly powertrains, will play an important role in bridging the current market realities with the future of sustainable mobility.”

The group has already committed $2–3 billion to JSW Motors. With significant investment already announced for manufacturing at Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, a growing engineering base, and partnerships with global vehicle makers, JSW Group is positioning its automotive venture as a long-term mobility platform built around multiple brands and electrified technologies to carve a space for itself in a highly competitive Indian car market.