Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) is going full throttle, reaching 92 per cent localisation in manufacturing at its Chennai plant. In collaboration with Mobis India, Hyundai has started locally assembling battery packs, with the Creta Electric becoming the first vehicle to be powered by these homegrown battery packs.
Speaking on achieving a high localisation content, Gopalakrishnan Chathapuram Sivaramakrishnan, Whole-time Director and Chief Manufacturing Officer – HMIL said, “HMIL’s indigenization efforts are deeply in sync with Government of India’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Make-in-India’ initiatives, and our localization strategy strives to constantly leverage India’s rich resources, skilled workforce and advanced engineering prowess, to develop world-class technology domestically. Commissioning of the HMIL and Mobis India Limited’s battery-pack assembly plant is a key milestone in our localisation and EV roadmap.”
The road to Atmanirbhar Bharat
Hyundai has made significant strides in localising production at its Chennai manufacturing facility, working closely with over 194 vendors to localise more than 1,238 parts. This push for local production has saved Hyundai around $672 million (over Rs 5,678 Crore) in foreign exchange since 2019 and created jobs for more than 1,400 people. As part of its ‘Made-in-India’ initiative, Hyundai has localised key technology components for the first time in India, including the Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), panoramic sunroof, inflators, oil cooler, and NOX sensors.
In addition, Hyundai has achieved 100 per cent localisation for crucial parts like alternators, alloy wheels, disc brakes, catalytic converters, clutch assemblies, shark fin antennas, and Reverse Parking Assist Sensors (RPAS), among others, through partnerships with its supply chain.
Hyundai, Mobis partnership
In collaboration with Mobis, Hyundai has also launched its battery pack assembly plant in Chennai. With a Phase 1 annual capacity of 75,000 units, the plant can assemble a variety of battery types, including NMC (Lithium-Nickel-Manganese-Cobalt Oxide) and LFP (Lithium-Iron-Phosphate) batteries. This facility will not only help reduce battery costs but also ensure a steady supply for Hyundai’s electric vehicles produced in India. Localising battery production will further streamline availability and support the growing demand for electric vehicles in the country.
