Auto component manufacturer Samvardhana Motherson International Ltd (SAMIL) announced the commencement of operations at a new automotive lighting facility in Sanand, set up by its joint venture company Marelli Motherson Automotive Lighting India Pvt Ltd (MMLI).
MMLI is a 50:50 joint venture between Motherson and Marelli Europe S.p.A.. The new plant, spread over 8,200 square metres, will exclusively manufacture advanced automotive lighting systems and cater to rising demand for premium lighting solutions in India.
The facility is the first in the country capable of producing edge-to-edge single-piece long lighting parts using high-tonnage multi-colour moulding machines ranging from 2,000T to 2,700T. It also localises the slimmest headlamp module in India and enables production of single-piece, end-to-end Daytime Running Lights (DRL) and Rear Combination Lamps (RCL).
The company said the plant marks a technological milestone for the domestic automotive lighting industry, combining global innovation with localised manufacturing capabilities.
In line with its sustainability goals, the Sanand facility is equipped with rooftop solar installations and is planning to source additional open-access green power.
Motherson Vice Chairman Laksh Vaaman Sehgal said the inauguration of the plant reinforces the group’s commitment to innovation and customer-centricity. “This strategic investment strengthens our ability to deliver advanced, future-ready lighting solutions while meeting evolving customer needs. We deeply appreciate the trust and support of our customers, which has been instrumental in achieving this milestone,” he said.
Marelli’s Lighting Business President Frank Huber described the facility as a key step in bringing advanced lighting technologies to Indian customers. He said the joint venture has successfully combined Marelli’s global technology leadership with Motherson’s infrastructure and execution strengths, alongside strong customer relationships in the region.
The JV, established in 2008, has operated with significant autonomy and has emerged as a successful partnership in India’s automotive lighting space, the companies said.
Meanwhile, SAMIL Chairman Vivek Chaand Sehgal said during a recent earnings call that the group currently has 12 greenfield plants under development across emerging markets to support growth in both automotive and non-automotive segments.
In the third quarter, SAMIL added two new greenfield facilities — one in Vision Systems in India and another in Wiring Harness in Morocco. The majority of these projects are expected to be commissioned by the second half of FY27 and contribute to growth in that fiscal year.