‘Uno Minda Is Positioned to Aggressively Expand Its Global Footprint,’ Says Nirmal Minda

Uno Minda plans to aggressively expand its global footprint, deepen localisation and capture a larger share of the international auto-component market as trade agreements and manufacturing incentives improve India’s position as a global sourcing base.

The auto-component maker expects exports to form a “meaningfully larger” share of its revenue over the next three to five years. It is building customer relationships across Europe, North America and Southeast Asia, according to its FY26 annual report.

Chairman Nirmal Kumar Minda said the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement and improving trade terms with the United States could provide a more stable and competitive environment for long-term sourcing from India.

“Uno Minda is perfectly positioned to leverage these macro tailwinds to aggressively expand our global footprint, deepen our localisation, and capture international market share,” Minda said in his address to shareholders in the FY26 annual report.

He also pointed to the government’s public capital expenditure, the ₹5,940-crore allocation for the automobile production-linked incentive scheme, and efforts to develop domestic semiconductor and rare-earth mineral ecosystems.

Together, these measures could set the stage for a new phase of export-led advanced manufacturing, he said.

The wider geographical presence could also reduce Uno Minda’s dependence on the Indian vehicle market and protect the business from demand weakness in any single region.

The company has 78 manufacturing facilities globally, including 72 plants in India, and 37 research and engineering centres.

Localisation Central to Global Strategy
Deeper localisation will be a key part of Uno Minda’s export push. Modern vehicles require a growing number of semiconductors, electronic controllers, sensors, cameras, magnets and other technology-intensive parts. Many of these products or their inputs continue to depend on global supply chains.

The development of semiconductor and rare-earth ecosystems in India could help suppliers lower import dependence, reduce exposure to foreign-exchange movements and improve supply reliability.

Uno Minda has already started localising some products. During FY26, it began manufacturing what it described as India’s first localised automotive camera module at its sensors and advanced driver-assistance systems plant in Pune, replacing imports.

It also approved an investment of ₹210 crore for an electric-vehicle casting plant at Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.

However, the annual report does not provide a target for the overall level of localisation or quantify the company’s current dependence on imported semiconductors and rare-earth materials.

Portfolio Offers Protection During EV Transition
Uno Minda’s global expansion is supported by a product portfolio that is largely independent of the technology used to power a vehicle.

More than 95% of its portfolio is powertrain-agnostic, according to the annual report. This means most of its components can be fitted to internal-combustion, alternate-fuel, hybrid and battery-electric vehicles.

The portfolio includes switches, lighting, seat belts, airbags, alloy wheels, seats, infotainment systems, sensors, cameras, telematics, horns and steering wheels.

This allows the company to participate in the automotive industry’s transition without depending entirely on the pace of electric-vehicle adoption.

“Our task does not change with the technology: to remain essential to every vehicle on the road, whatever powers it,” Minda said.

At the same time, Uno Minda is building a separate portfolio of products linked directly to electric and hybrid powertrains.

These include portable and wall-mounted chargers, combined charging units, electric motors, e-axles, inverters, vehicle-control units and dedicated hybrid transmission systems.

The company began supplies of a six-in-one e-axle system through technology partner Inovance in the fourth quarter of FY26. The programme generated revenue of ₹46 crore during the year.

A new high-voltage EV powertrain plant at Khed City in Pune is expected to start production in the second half of FY27. The facility will manufacture advanced e-axles and integrated electric drivetrains.

Uno Minda has also announced an investment of ₹550 crore for another passenger-vehicle powertrain plant at Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. The unit will manufacture electric drive units and dedicated hybrid transmission systems and is expected to become operational by the second quarter of FY28.

Technology Content Per Vehicle Rising
The company also expects to benefit from a rise in the value of components fitted to each vehicle.

Customers are increasingly choosing vehicles with additional safety, comfort and electronic features. At the same time, manufacturers are introducing equipment that was earlier restricted to premium models across a wider range of cars and two-wheelers.

Uno Minda identified sensors, advanced driver-assistance systems, sunroofs and airbags as products that are moving towards the mass market. It also sees opportunities in haptic switches, intelligent controls, adaptive lighting, interior ambient lighting and alloy wheels.

Each additional feature can increase the company’s revenue from a vehicle even when overall industry volumes grow at a slower pace.

The company secured an infotainment order with an annual peak value of ₹600 crore and a two-wheeler lighting order valued at ₹450 crore during FY26. It also received additional sunroof-related orders worth ₹85 crore in the fourth quarter.

FY27 will be an important year for the execution of the company’s investment programme. Seven of Uno Minda’s 12 ongoing projects are expected to either begin production or move through ramp-up during the year.

Commercial operations are also expected to begin in two new product areas—EV powertrains and sunroofs. Revenue from the new investments is expected to strengthen the company’s consolidated financial performance over the next two to three years.

Uno Minda reported a 17% increase in consolidated revenue to ₹19,658 crore in FY26. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation rose 20% year on year to ₹2,251 crore, while profit attributable to shareholders increased 27% to ₹1,197 crore.

The company’s ability to convert improving trade access into revenue will depend on final tariff structures, rules of origin, overseas vehicle demand and the pace at which India develops local supply chains for chips and critical materials.

However, Uno Minda believes its wide product portfolio, local manufacturing base and relationships with global vehicle manufacturers give it a foundation to pursue export growth while managing uncertainty over the transition to electric mobility.