German major Schaeffler AG pledges to invest over €100 million annually in India, deepening localization, capacity expansion, and new product development.
28 May 2025 | 4458 Views | By Darshan Nakhwa & Ketan Thakkar
German automotive and industrial component maker Schaeffler AG has reaffirmed its commitment to India, announcing plans to invest more than €100 million every year over the next five years to expand its operations in the country. The move underscores the company's long-term strategy to tap into India’s growing automotive and ...
This is an Autocar Pro Plus article. Subscribe to continue reading.
German automotive and industrial component maker Schaeffler AG has reaffirmed its commitment to India, announcing plans to invest more than €100 million every year over the next five years to expand its operations in the country. The move underscores the company's long-term strategy to tap into India’s growing automotive and industrial sectors.
"If we compare the Indian market, with all its opportunities, to other markets, this is a friendly environment for us, where we feel that we can do much more,” Klaus Rosenfeld, CEO of Schaeffler AG, said during a media roundtable.
Today, the India business contributes more than a billion euros in revenue to Schaeffler. The company has five plants in the country, with the latest one opened on Wednesday. It has a workforce of around 3,600 employees, with a growing trend.
The company’s latest greenfield plant in India, built with an initial investment of €35 million, focuses on clutch production and houses state-of-the-art heavy-duty presses. Spread over 108,000 square meters, it represents Schaeffler’s determination to expand capacity and meet growing local demand. Two additional halls are planned for future expansion.
The Indian market has become increasingly important for the group. "In this geopolitical environment, with all the tensions that we have, with all the stress in supply chains, with disruption—I think our relationship with India has proven to be strong. We've always seen reliable partners here," Rosenfeld said.
Harsha Kadam, Managing Director and CEO of Schaeffler India, echoed similar optimism. “We’ve consistently delivered double-digit growth year after year. Our focus has always been on creating and delivering value for all stakeholders, which is why we run our operations with strong efficiency and performance discipline—because we believe that performance is the way to deliver and create value.”
Localisation has been a key part of the German component maker’s India strategy. “Currently, our localization level stands at around 76%. Yes, we have some distance to go there. We have been consistently investing in the last few years, every year, and our investment focus going forward also remains because we believe the potential to grow in India is definitely there,” Kadam said.
The company’s long-term strategy in India aligns with global shifts in automotive and industrial technology, with a focus on electric mobility, hybrid powertrains, and railway bearings. Rosenfeld noted that India’s status as a strong, reliable partner makes it a prime destination for the company’s global investments, especially with emerging trade agreements with the UK, and discussions with other regions.