Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles (TMPV) and its wholly owned subsidiary Jaguar Land Rover Automotive Plc (JLR) commenced operations at their new manufacturing facility at Panapakkam in Ranipet district, Tamil Nadu, marking a major milestone in the Tata Group’s strategy to strengthen India’s position as a global automotive manufacturing hub.
The Panapakkam facility represents the first phase of a greenfield manufacturing plant designed to produce next-generation vehicles, including electric vehicles (EVs), for both TMPV and JLR brands. Signalling the plant’s global manufacturing ambitions, the first vehicle to roll out of the facility is the locally manufactured Range Rover Evoque, a model globally recognised for its modern luxury and craftsmanship.
TMPV plans to invest ₹9,000 crore to develop the Panapakkam plant into a cutting-edge manufacturing hub, aligned with its long-term growth and electrification roadmap. The facility is expected to generate over 5,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities, while catalysing skill development and supporting the growth of a strong local ancillary ecosystem.
The facility was inaugurated by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin and N. Chandrasekaran, Chairman of Tata Sons and Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles, underlining the strategic importance of the investment for both the state and the Tata Group.
Speaking at the inauguration, Chief Minister M. K. Stalin said the commencement of operations at Panapakkam reinforces Tamil Nadu’s leadership in advanced manufacturing and mobility. He highlighted the Tata Group’s long-standing partnership with the state and reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting investments that generate employment, drive innovation and strengthen the industrial ecosystem.
Chandrasekaran, Chairman of Tata Sons, said the Panapakkam plant marks a significant step in accelerating India’s leadership in sustainable and future-ready manufacturing. He added that the facility deepens the Tata Group’s historic association with Tamil Nadu and reflects its commitment to producing vehicles that meet the highest global standards of quality, technology and craftsmanship for customers in India and international markets.
Beyond advanced manufacturing capabilities, the Panapakkam plant also reflects a strong focus on people and skills development. The facility is operated by a diverse team of shopfloor technicians drawn from across Tamil Nadu, many of whom are part of Tata Motors’ Lakshya programme, an “earn while you learn” initiative that enables talent progression from the shopfloor to engineering and management roles. Selected through a rigorous state-wide assessment of polytechnic graduates, these technicians underwent five months of intensive hands-on training at JLR facilities, equipping them with world-class operational and technical expertise.
With the start of operations at Panapakkam, TMPV and JLR have taken a significant step towards building a globally competitive, future-ready manufacturing base in India, reinforcing the Tata Group’s commitment to innovation, sustainability and inclusive industrial growth.