MK Stalin to lay foundation stone for Rs 9000 crore Tata-JLR EV plant in Ranipet, TN

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin is set to lay the foundation stone for a massive Rs 9,000 crore Tata Motors-Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) manufacturing plant in Ranipet district on September 28. This development marks a significant milestone in Tamil Nadu's industrial growth and was first reported by Autocar Professional in April.

The proposed plant, part of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between Tata Motors and the Tamil Nadu government, is likely to have a minimum capacity of 200,000 units in its first phase, Autocar Professional had reported. Sources indicate that this facility will primarily focus on producing electric vehicles based on the Electrified Modular Architecture (EMA) platform for both Jaguar Land Rover and Tata Motors.

According to industry insiders, the production capacity is planned to be distributed with approximately two-thirds allocated for Jaguar Land Rover and one-third for Tata Motors. A significant portion of the JLR output is likely to be earmarked for overseas markets, potentially leveraging the upcoming India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) that is currently in progress.

The new manufacturing facility is part of a larger commitment by the Tata Group, which has pledged an investment of Rs 1.5 lakh crore in Jaguar Land Rover over the coming decade. This investment aligns with the group's strategy to transition Jaguar into an all-electric brand, while ensuring that the majority of the Land Rover portfolio will have electric alternatives by 2026.

Industry experts suggest that this project could potentially involve the production of at least four models each from Tata Motors and Jaguar Land Rover over the next decade. The total volume for this project is estimated to reach around 300,000 units, with a significant portion planned for export.

In a related development, Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Ltd and Jaguar Land Rover had previously signed an MoU for the licensing of JLR's EMA platform. This agreement includes provisions for electrical architecture, electric drive units, battery packs, and manufacturing know-how, which will be crucial for the development of Tata's upcoming born-electric vehicles.

The EMA platform, first announced by JLR in 2021, is designed to accommodate advanced driver assistance systems and extensive cloud connectivity. It boasts features such as Software Over The Air (SOTA) capabilities, Level 2+ autonomy, and a highly integrated propulsion system with cell-to-pack battery technology.

While Tata Motors has not officially commented on these speculations, the upcoming plant in Tamil Nadu is poised to play a critical role in India's electric vehicle manufacturing landscape. The project is expected to create between 25,000 to 30,000 new jobs in the region, significantly boosting local employment.

As preparations for the September 28 foundation stone laying ceremony continue, basic infrastructure work is already underway at the site. This proactive approach aims to ensure a smooth and timely execution of this transformative industrial venture, further cementing Tamil Nadu's position as a key manufacturing hub in India's rapidly evolving automotive sector.