Tata Motors and Jaguar Land Rover, the UK-based luxury vehicle arm of the auto major, have invested Rs 9,000 crore in the Ranipet facility, which is spread across 470 acres and has an annual production capacity of 2.5 lakh vehicles. The project, for which Stalin had laid the foundation stone on September 28, 2024, is expected to generate direct and indirect employment for around 5,000 people.

JLR vehicle plant to reach 2.5 lakh capacity in four years: Chandrasekaran

Announcing the production of the Range Rover Evoque at the new facility, N Chandrasekaran said the advanced factory has placed India on Jaguar Land Rover’s global manufacturing map, which currently includes the UK, China, Austria and Brazil.

“The Tata Motors–Jaguar Land Rover manufacturing facility is an advanced factory, and under a planned three-phase expansion, it will become fully operational in four years with an annual capacity of 2.5 lakh vehicles. The Tamil Nadu government assured us of all approvals to enable the plant to be set up within 16 months, and today the first Range Rover Evoque has been produced here, with the factory symbolically inaugurated by the Chief Minister,” Chandrasekaran said, speaking at the event.

He also highlighted the Tata Group’s growing presence in the State through TCS, Tata Power, Tata Chemicals, Indian Hotels (Taj) and Tata Electronics, noting the rapid expansion of Tata Electronics and Tata Power’s solar cell manufacturing over the past four years.

MoUs must translate into projects on the ground: CM Stalin

Stressing that signing MoUs alone was not sufficient, the Chief Minister said at the inauguration event that officials were being pushed to ensure projects were translated into reality, citing the Mitsubishi Electric facility at Gummidipoondi and the Tata Motors-JLR facility as examples. He noted that the Ranipet plant became operational in 16 months, ahead of the requested 18-month timeline, underscoring the State’s industrial climate and commitment.

Stalin also urged N Chandrasekaran to bring more Tata Group projects to Tamil Nadu and make the State its first choice for future investments.

JLR vehicle plant a boost for Tamil Nadu's auto hub status

For Tata Motors and JLR, the Ranipet plant supports efforts to expand local premium vehicle manufacturing, reduce import dependence and manage costs, even as the company shifts globally towards electrification and sustainability.

For Tamil Nadu, the project adds to its established automobile manufacturing base, joining facilities run by Hyundai, Renault-Nissan, BMW and Daimler, and strengthens the State’s push to attract EV and premium vehicle investments.

Second major auto plant in six months for Tamil Nadu

Meanwhile, TRB Rajaa, the State’s Industries Minister, said in a social media post that Tamil Nadu has seen two major automobile manufacturing units become operational within a six-month period with the inauguration of the Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles–Jaguar Land Rover facility, noting that the JLR and VinFast projects moved from MoUs to production in under two years.