Tata Motors commences operations at Tamil Nadu plant; local production of Range Rover Evoque kicks off
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Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles (TMPV) has commenced operations at its new manufacturing facility in Panapakkam, Ranipet district of Tamil Nadu, marking a key expansion of the group’s passenger vehicle and luxury car manufacturing footprint in India. The first vehicle to roll out of the plant is the locally assembled Range Rover Evoque, a model from its wholly owned subsidiary Jaguar Land Rover (JLR).
Phased scale-up planned to serve domestic and export markets
The Panapakkam facility represents the first phase of a greenfield project that will manufacture next-generation internal combustion and electric vehicles for both TMPV and JLR. Production will be scaled up gradually, with the plant designed to reach an annual capacity of 250,000 vehicles over the next five to seven years, catering to domestic as well as export markets.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Thiru M.K. Stalin, who inaugurated the plant, said the facility strengthens the state’s position as a major automotive manufacturing hub and is expected to support job creation and industrial growth.
According to him, “Tata Group has long played a pivotal role in nation building and shares a deep, historic partnership with Tamil Nadu. With the commencement of operations at this new manufacturing facility and the rollout of the first Range Rover Evoque in Panapakkam, Ranipet, the state is proud to witness the expansion of world-class automotive manufacturing. Tamil Nadu welcomes this significant milestone and remains committed to supporting industries that create jobs, drive innovation, and reinforce our position as India’s leading hub for manufacturing and mobility.”
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₹9,000 crore investment to support long-term growth plans
Tata Motors plans to invest around ₹9,000 crore in the Panapakkam facility as part of its long-term growth strategy. The project is expected to generate over 5,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities and support the development of a local supplier ecosystem in the region.
The workforce at the plant includes shopfloor technicians recruited from across Tamil Nadu, many of whom are enrolled in Tata Motors’ Lakshya skilling programme. The initiative combines on-the-job training with structured technical education, aimed at creating a pipeline of skilled manufacturing talent for advanced vehicle production.
Tata Sons Chairman N. Chandrasekaran said the plant is an important step in building future-ready manufacturing capabilities in India.
"We are also proud to deepen our long-standing partnership with Tamil Nadu, a state that continues to drive industrial excellence, innovation, and inclusive growth. With this facility, we look forward to producing vehicles of exceptional quality, craftsmanship, and technology for customers in India and around the world,” he noted.
The start of local assembly of the Range Rover Evoque signals JLR’s intent to deepen its manufacturing presence in India, as global automakers reassess supply chains and increase localisation amid evolving trade dynamics and cost pressures.