CM Stalin Inaugurates ₹9,000-Crore Tata Motors–Jaguar Land Rover Plant in Ranipet; First Range Rover Evoque Rolls Out

 


In a significant step for India’s automotive manufacturing sector, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Monday (February 9) jointly inaugurated the Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles and Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) greenfield car manufacturing facility at SIPCOT Industrial Park in Panapakkam, Ranipet. The inauguration was held in the presence of Tata Motors and JLR Chairman N Chandrasekaran.

Located around 80 km west of Chennai, the Ranipet facility marks a milestone moment as it becomes the first plant in the country where a premium luxury vehicle is fully manufactured, rather than assembled. The inaugural rollout of the Range Rover Evoque from the plant symbolised India’s growing capability in high-end automobile production.

Stalin drives out first Range Rover Evoque



At the launch event, Chief Minister Stalin took the driver’s seat and ceremonially drove the first Range Rover Evoque SUV out of the factory, officially marking the start of production at the Ranipet facility. The moment underscored both the scale of the project and the State government’s emphasis on accelerating industrial execution.

The plant, spread across 470 acres, has been developed with an investment of ₹9,000 crore by Tata Motors and its UK-based luxury vehicle arm, Jaguar Land Rover.

Manufacturing ICE and electric vehicles on green energy



The Panapakkam facility will manufacture both internal combustion engine (ICE) and electric vehicles, including select premium Jaguar Land Rover models as well as Tata Motors passenger vehicles for Indian and global markets. Notably, the entire facility will operate on green energy, aligning with Tamil Nadu’s broader focus on sustainable and future-ready industrial development.

With an annual production capacity of up to 2.5 lakh vehicles, the plant is expected to become a key export and domestic supply hub over the coming years.

Ranipet plant to reach full capacity in four years

Speaking at the event, N Chandrasekaran said the Ranipet factory places India firmly on Jaguar Land Rover’s global manufacturing map, alongside established production bases in the UK, China, Austria and Brazil.

He noted that the facility would be developed under a three-phase expansion plan and is expected to become fully operational within four years, reaching its full annual capacity of 2.5 lakh vehicles. Chandrasekaran also acknowledged the Tamil Nadu government’s role in fast-tracking approvals, which enabled the plant to be set up in just 16 months.

Tata Group’s expanding footprint in Tamil Nadu

Chandrasekaran highlighted the Tata Group’s growing presence in Tamil Nadu across sectors, including TCS, Tata Power, Tata Chemicals, Indian Hotels (Taj) and Tata Electronics. He pointed to the rapid expansion of Tata Electronics and Tata Power’s solar cell manufacturing operations in the State over the past four years, reinforcing Tamil Nadu’s role as a strategic base for the group.

‘MoUs must translate into projects’: CM Stalin

Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Stalin stressed that signing memoranda of understanding alone was not sufficient, and that the focus must remain on translating commitments into operational projects. He cited the Tata Motors–JLR facility and the Mitsubishi Electric plant at Gummidipoondi as examples of projects executed within compressed timelines.

Stalin noted that the Ranipet plant became operational ahead of the originally requested 18-month schedule, underscoring the State’s industrial climate and administrative support. He also urged Chandrasekaran to consider Tamil Nadu as the first choice for future Tata Group investments.

Employment and skill development focus

The inauguration was attended by shopfloor technicians drawn from across Tamil Nadu, selected through a state-wide assessment of polytechnic graduates. These technicians were trained under Tata Motors’ Lakshya “earn while you learn” programme. Many of them come from low-income households, with several being first-generation diploma holders.

The project is expected to generate around 5,000 direct and indirect jobs, contributing to both employment and skill development in the region.

Boost to Tamil Nadu’s auto hub status

For Tata Motors and JLR, the Ranipet facility supports efforts to localise premium vehicle manufacturing, reduce import dependence and manage costs, even as the company transitions globally towards electrification and sustainability.

For Tamil Nadu, the project strengthens its position as one of India’s leading automobile manufacturing hubs, joining existing facilities operated by Hyundai, Renault-Nissan, BMW and Daimler, while also reinforcing the State’s push to attract EV and premium vehicle investments.

Second major auto plant in six months

Industries Minister TRB Rajaa noted that Tamil Nadu has seen two major automobile manufacturing facilities become operational within six months. In a social media post, he highlighted that both the JLR and VinFast projects moved from MoUs to production in under two years, reflecting the State’s emphasis on execution-led industrial growth.


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