Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles, JLR Commence Operations at Panapakkam Plant in Tamil Nadu; First Range Rover Evoque Rolls Out

Ranipet, Tamil Nadu: Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd. (TMPV), India’s leading manufacturer of cars and SUVs, along with its subsidiary Jaguar Land Rover Automotive Plc. (JLR), today announced the commencement of operations at their new manufacturing facility at Panapakkam in Ranipet district, Tamil Nadu. The state-of-the-art facility marks the first phase of development of a greenfield plant dedicated to producing next-generation vehicles, including electric vehicles (EVs), for both TMPV and JLR brands.

The first vehicle to roll out of the Panapakkam plant is the locally manufactured Range Rover Evoque, a globally acclaimed luxury SUV known for its modern design, advanced technology, and exceptional craftsmanship.

The facility was formally inaugurated by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Thiru M.K. Stalin, alongside Mr. N. Chandrasekaran, Chairman, Tata Sons and Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd., in the presence of senior government officials, public representatives, and leadership teams from TMPV, JLR, and the Tata Group.

Speaking at the inauguration, Thiru M.K. Stalin said that the Tata Group has played a pivotal role in India’s nation-building efforts and shares a deep, historic relationship with Tamil Nadu. He noted that the commencement of operations at Panapakkam reinforces the state’s position as India’s leading hub for automotive manufacturing and mobility, while also driving job creation, innovation, and industrial growth.

Mr. N. Chandrasekaran described the Panapakkam facility as a significant milestone in the Tata Group’s vision to strengthen India’s leadership in sustainable and future-ready manufacturing. He emphasized that the new plant deepens Tata’s long-standing partnership with Tamil Nadu and will focus on producing vehicles of exceptional quality, craftsmanship, and advanced technology for customers in India and global markets.

Advanced Manufacturing and Skill Development

The Panapakkam plant integrates advanced manufacturing technologies with a highly skilled local workforce. The facility is operated by shopfloor technicians from across Tamil Nadu who are part of Tata Motors’ Lakshya programme, an “earn while you learn” initiative designed to accelerate career growth from the shopfloor to engineering and management roles.

Selected through a rigorous state-wide assessment of polytechnic graduates, participants underwent five months of intensive hands-on training at JLR facilities, equipping them with world-class operational and technical expertise. The programme also enables employees to pursue a company-sponsored B.Tech degree from a reputed university while continuing their professional responsibilities.

Investment, Capacity and Sustainability Focus

With operations now underway, vehicle production at Panapakkam will scale up in a phased manner, reaching the plant’s full designed annual capacity of 250,000 vehicles over the next 5–7 years, catering to both domestic and international markets.

TMPV plans to invest approximately ₹9,000 crore in the facility as part of its long-term growth strategy. The plant has the potential to generate over 5,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities, while also strengthening the regional ancillary ecosystem and supporting skill development.

Aligned with TMPV’s sustainability-first philosophy, the Panapakkam facility has been designed to operate entirely on renewable energy, be water positive, and set new benchmarks for green manufacturing in the automotive sector. The plant prioritizes energy efficiency, reduced emissions, and adherence to stringent global environmental standards, reinforcing Tata Motors’ commitment to sustainable mobility.