Tata Motors Begins Assembly of JLR Vehicles at Tamil Nadu Plant, Starting With Locally Made Range Rover Evoque
Tata Motors has officially kicked off operations at its brand-new greenfield manufacturing facility in Panapakkam, in Tamil Nadu’s Ranipet district. This is where the company plans to shape its next generation of cars and SUVs. Including future electric vehicles, for both Indian buyers and global markets. Built in collaboration with its subsidiary Jaguar Land Rover Automotive Plc, the facility blends global engineering standards with local manufacturing strength.
The first car to roll out of the production line sets the tone perfectly. It’s the locally assembled Range Rover Evoque. Starting with a global luxury nameplate sends a clear message: this isn’t just about capacity, it’s about quality and credibility from day one.
The plant was inaugurated by M. K. Stalin along with Natarajan Chandrasekaran, alongside senior government officials and Tata Group leaders. For Tamil Nadu & Tata Motors, the project strengthens its reputation as India’s automotive powerhouse. It deepens a long-standing relationship with a state that continues to attract large-scale industrial investments and cutting-edge manufacturing projects.
Inside the facility, it’s not just machines doing the work. A big focus has been placed on people. Through Tata Motors’ Lakshya “earn while you learn” programme, floor technicians, many of them young polytechnic graduates from across the state, are being trained with hands-on experience and international exposure at JLR facilities. The idea is simple but powerful which is to create skilled professionals who grow with the company.
Production will gradually scale up over the next few years, eventually touching an annual capacity of 2.5 lakh vehicles. Backed by an investment of around ₹9,000 crore, the plant is expected to create over 5,000 direct and indirect jobs and support a strong supplier ecosystem in the region. Designed to run on renewable energy and operate with water-positive practices, the facility also reflects Tata Motors’ push toward cleaner, more responsible manufacturing, ensuring that growth doesn’t come at the cost of sustainability.
