Hyundai Motor India to launch 1st mass-market EV from Chennai plant
New Delhi, June 4
Hyundai Motor India Limited on Thursday announced that it will launch two new models from its Chennai manufacturing facility, including its first mass-market electric vehicle, within this year as part of its broader push to accelerate EV adoption and strengthen localisation in India.
The company also said it is committed to positioning Tamil Nadu as its "flagship EV hub for India," supported by investments in manufacturing capabilities, localisation of key components and expansion of charging infrastructure across major cities and highways over the next two to three years.
It added that a strategically distributed network of high-capacity chargers will be developed across key urban and transit corridors to support affordable EV adoption in the country.
The announcement was made as Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) and the Tamil Nadu government jointly unveiled a skill development collaboration aimed at enhancing the global employability of youth in the state.
The initiative is scheduled to begin operations in December 2027 and is expected to prepare a future-ready workforce aligned with evolving automotive technologies.
Hyundai Motor India Ltd Managing Director and CEO Tarun Garg said the company will roll out two new models from the Chennai facility, including its first mass-market dedicated EV within this year.
He added that the move marks a significant step towards accelerating electric vehicle adoption and building a stronger EV ecosystem in India.
Garg further said that alongside localisation of EV manufacturing, the company is also focused on workforce development to ensure availability of skilled talent for future mobility technologies.
The company highlighted that it has already exported over 3.9 million vehicles manufactured in Tamil Nadu to more than 150 countries, reflecting the state's importance in its global manufacturing network.
HMIL also noted that it has set up Tamil Nadu's first battery sub-assembly plant for EV powertrains and is actively localising power electronics and other critical components as part of its EV strategy.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Good to see Hyundai investing in local manufacturing and charging infrastructure. But I hope they also focus on service centers and spare parts availability for EVs in smaller cities. The charging network needs to be genuinely accessible, not just in metros.
The skill development collaboration with Tamil Nadu government is a smart move. With December 2027 timeline, they're thinking long-term. The auto sector is changing fast - AI, battery tech, software - we need youth trained in these. But will these jobs actually pay enough?
Impressive that Hyundai has already exported 3.9 million vehicles from Tamil Nadu! The Make in India story is real. But I'm a bit skeptical about the 'mass-market' claim without specific price points. Hyundai's current EVs like the Kona are too expensive for most Indians.
As someone who follows global auto trends, Hyundai's bet on India's EV market makes sense given how aggressive they've been with the Ioniq series elsewhere. But India's EV adoption still faces challenges - unstable power grids in many areas and high upfront costs. Let's see.
Chennai getting a battery sub-assembly plant is a big deal! Localisation of power electronics will bring costs down. But I worry about the environmental impact of battery production. Hope Hyundai follows green manufacturing practices and doesn't just shift pollution elsewhere.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.