Germany-headquartered automotive major the BMW Group and Tata Technologies, a global product engineering and digital services company, have announced the official launch of their joint venture BMW TechWorks India with offices in – Pune, Bengaluru and Chennai.

The JV which goes on stream in November 2024, will initially start with 100 employees at these three locations and rapidly scale to four-digit number of employees by end-2025, with a strong focus on attracting top-tier Indian talent. The BMW Group and Tata Technologies will each hold 50 percent of the shares in this JV.

The management team of BMW TechWorks India is comprised of seasoned executives from both partner companies. Representing Tata Technologies are Aditya Khera as CEO and Sweta Girinatham as CFO of this JV. From the BMW Group, Oliver Scheickl will hold the position of COO of Automotive Software in this new JV and Stefan Flader will serve as COO of Business IT.

BMW TechWorks India complements BMW Group’s global strategy by engineering seamless, scalable software solutions for next-gen vehicles and delivering leading digital experiences. Tata Technologies will bring its expertise across the entire product value chain, from conceptualisation to detailed engineering and turnkey SDV (Software Defined Vehicles) development, will drive key software projects for the BMW Group’s premium mobility solutions and facilitate access to India’s impressive talents.

The partners aim to leverage India’s engineering and IT talent in developing strategic software solutions for SDVs, automated driving, digital infotainment, and automotive digital services.

In addition to automotive software, the JV will also provide digital innovations for the BMW Group's Business IT. Consequently, BMW TechWorks India will expedite the digital transformation of the car manufacturer's global production network, along with enhancing its digital customer journey and sales processes. Another key area of focus will be the development of AI applications and platforms, which will increase the speed and efficiency of all core business processes.

Christoph Grote, Senior Vice-President of Electronics and Software BMW Group said, “BMW TechWorks India is a significant addition to our global vehicle software development initiatives. India’s software talent will be a great asset for our Software-Defined Vehicles of the future. With agile processes and state-of-the-art tools, engineers at BMW TechWorks India will co-create innovative automotive digital experiences, such as automated driving and next-gen infotainment systems.” 

Alexander Buresch, CIO, and Senior Vice-President, BMW Group IT stated, “With BMW TechWorks India, we are steadily advancing our international IT-Hub strategy and broadening our global Business IT presence. The partnership with Tata Technologies represents a strategically important step and provides excellent conditions for developing innovative software solutions along our value chain. We are excited to welcome Indian tech talents to join us in driving the digital transformation of the BMW Group.”

Warren Harris, CEO and MD, Tata Technologies said: “Our joint venture with the BMW Group, BMW TechWorks India, underscores our deep expertise in Software-Defined Vehicles (SDV) and reflects our commitment to driving innovation in both automotive software and business IT. By leveraging Tata Technologies' strong brand presence in India, this JV will attract top talent and provide a platform to develop forward-thinking solutions that redefine the future of mobility. We are excited to partner with the BMW Group in engineering premium, software-driven vehicles, enhancing digital experiences, and accelerating their digital transformation journey.”

Nachiket Paranjpe, President of Automotive Sales, Tata Technologies commented, "The rapid evolution of automotive technology is transforming the way vehicles are developed, with Software-Defined Vehicles at the forefront of this shift. At Tata Technologies, our deep automotive expertise and end-to-end solutions across the value chain – from concept and detailed engineering to manufacturing engineering and turnkey SDV development – position us perfectly to support the BMW Group in shaping the future of mobility. Through this joint venture, we will push the boundaries of automotive technology, creating vehicles that are not only cutting-edge but also deliver exceptional driving experiences to consumers worldwide."

Aditya Khera, CEO, BMW TechWorks India: “With the launch of BMW TechWorks India, we are establishing a world-class software hub that will play a critical role in the BMW Group's automotive software and business IT strategy. By combining the BMW Group's and Tata Technologies' leadership in software-defined vehicles and product engineering excellence, we are poised for innovation and growth, offering India's top talent the opportunity to shape the future of the BMW Group's mobility solutions.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

American automaker Ford has confirmed plans to manufacture next-generation engines at its Chennai plant in India. This decision builds on a letter of intent signed in September 2024 and was formalised with the Government of Tamil Nadu through a memorandum of understanding (MoU). The plan complements Ford’s existing engine manufacturing operations in India, which also produces and exports engines.

The Chennai plant is set to have a planned capacity of 235,000 engines annually, with production expected to begin in 2029. The project is expected to create more than 600 jobs, plus indirect jobs across the industry, with an initial expected investment of INR  32.5 billion. Site preparation and investment will commence later this year.

Jeff Marentic, President – International Markets Group, Ford Motor Company, said, “We are pleased to advance our plans and confirm the Chennai plant’s vital role in Ford’s manufacturing network. We are thankful to the government of Tamil Nadu for its continued support as we advance these plans. This decision reinforces our commitment to leveraging India's manufacturing prowess for future products.”

Dr. TRB Rajaa, Honourable Industries Minister, Government of Tamil Nadu, said: “Ford’s decision to commence manufacturing in Chennai will further energize the resurgent automotive sector of Tamil Nadu and speaks volumes about the State's robust manufacturing ecosystem, highly skilled workforce, and excellent investor facilitation under the leadership of our Hon'ble Chief Minister, Thiru. M. K. Stalin. This is not just the start of manufacturing at the existing Ford facility, it is the State taking yet another step towards the future of the automotive industry with the production of next-gen engines. We remain committed to supporting Ford's operations here.”

The engine lineup planned will feature technology, with specific details about the engine type and export markets to be shared closer to the start of production. Ford currently employs approximately 12,000 individuals in its Global Business Operations in Tamil Nadu.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Nissan Motor India, a leading manufacturer of passenger vehicles, has achieved a significant milestone, exporting its 1.2 millionth vehicle from India. This accomplishment, the company said, reinforces its ‘Make in India, Make for the World’ philosophy and highlights India's importance as a strategic export hub for Nissan’s AMIEO (Africa, Middle East, India, Europe and Oceania) region.

The 1.2 millionth vehicle was a new Nissan Magnite B-SUV destined for the GCC region, and was flagged off by Saurabh Vatsa, Managing Director, Nissan Motor India, at the Kamarajar Port in Ennore, Tamil Nadu.

Since beginning export operations, Nissan Motor India has shipped a diverse range of models, including the Nissan Magnite, Nissan Sunny, Nissan Kicks and Nissan Micra, to markets across Africa, the Middle East, Latin America and Southeast Asia.

The introduction of the new Nissan Magnite expanded the company's global export footprint to over 65 countries in both Left-Hand Drive (LHD) and Right-Hand Drive (RHD) markets.

“We are proud to celebrate yet another historic milestone of exporting 1.2 million Nissan vehicles from India. This achievement reflects the collective dedication of our teams and the trust of customers across the world in our Made-in-India cars. The Nissan Magnite continues to be a global success story, representing our focus on design, quality, and innovation that transcends borders,” said Vatsa.

The new Nissan Magnite has received a 5-star Global NCAP rating for Adult Occupant Protection and 3 stars for Child Occupant Protection. The company is also preparing for the upcoming launch of its new global C-SUV, the Nissan Tekton, which will be introduced in India next year and also exported to select international markets.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Automotive component supplier Harman, a subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., has announced a new investment of INR 3.45 billion (USD 42 million) to expand its automotive electronics manufacturing facility in Chakan, Pune, India. This commitment includes an immediate investment of INR 450 million and an additional INR 3  billion over the next three years to support advanced telematics and next-generation automotive connectivity programmes.

This latest funding brings Harman’s cumulative investments in the Pune plant to INR 5.54 billion (USD 67 million) since its inception in 2014. The expansion is expected to create 300 new jobs in Pune by 2027.

The expansion, inaugurated by CEO Christian Sobottka, adds 71,505 square feet of built-up area, boosting the plant's production capacity by 50 percent. By 2027, the facility is poised to deliver an annual output of 4 million car audio components, 1.4 million infotainment units and 800,000 million Telematics Control Units (TCUs).

The facility will now manufacture the Harman Ready Connect, a pre-developed, all-in-one Telematics Control Unit co-developed with Samsung. This commitment, the company states strengthens the Government of India’s vision to ‘Make in India, for the World’ by positioning the country as a hub for advanced automotive manufacturing.

The Pune plant supplies all major Indian OEMs, including Tata Motors, Maruti Suzuki India and Mahindra & Mahindra, alongside export customers in Europe and North America.

Christian Sobottka, CEO and President of Automotive, Harman, said, “This investment is a clear signal of our commitment to India. Pune is not just adding capacity - it’s building the future of connected cars. From 5G telematics to sustainable manufacturing, India’s talent and innovation strength make it central to Harman’s global automotive growth.”

The Pune facility also remains a leader in the company's sustainability journey. It currently uses on-site solar installations that generate over 317,000 KWh of electricity annually and is progressing toward 100 percent renewable electricity use by 2030.

Krishna Kumar, Managing Director & Automotive Head, Harman India, said: “India is where Harman designs, builds and exports the next generation of in-car experiences. From connected infotainment to immersive audio to telematics and connected safety solutions, our engineers here don’t just serve India - they serve the world. That’s why India sits at the heart of Harman’s global automotive strategy.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Toyoda Gosei Co, and Kansai Paint Co, have partnered to develop an in-mould coating technology that can be applied to the mass production of large plastic automotive exterior parts. This marks the first time in Japan that this technology is applicable to large exterior components, which have a high level of difficulty in production.

In-mould coating involves forming and painting large plastic parts inside the mould itself, a process typically restricted to smaller products.

The development uses Toyoda Gosei's proprietary mould technology for large parts and paint material design technology developed through the collaboration. This new process achieves a seamless appearance with a high level of smoothness on the painted surface, allowing for new moulding designs.

Other benefits include:

• Improved Durability: The use of urethane paint makes abrasions less noticeable.
• Environmental Reduction: A drying furnace is no longer necessary, which the company states reduce CO2 emissions during production by approximately 60 percent.

The first large painted products using this technology are scheduled for market launch in spring of 2026. Toyoda Gosei plans to expand this technology to its international production sites as a pillar of its new decorative technologies.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!