Stellantis is set to increase vehicle production in India, with plans to nearly triple annual output to around 50,000 units next year, up from roughly 18,000 at present. The automaker also expects India to play a larger role in its global export network, with about 60% of the planned production earmarked for overseas markets.
Stellantis India CEO and Managing Director Shailesh Hazela said that the remaining 40% of vehicles would be sold in the domestic market. He said the vehicles produced for export would be the same models manufactured for Indian customers.
The planned production increase is part of Stellantis' broader FaSTLAne 2030 strategy, under which the company wants to make greater use of regional manufacturing capabilities and improve efficiency across its global operations.
For India, Stellantis sees manufacturing costs, localisation potential and the country's supplier network as key advantages. The company currently produces vehicles at its Thiruvallur facility in Tamil Nadu, where it has worked with Hindustan Motor Finance Corporation, part of the CK Birla Group, since 2017.
The plant already supplied vehicles to international markets. Stellantis said earlier this year that its Smart Car platform, developed and industrialized by Indian R&D teams, supports vehicles sold in India as well as markets across regions including Latin America, the Middle East and Africa.
Stellantis invested close to EUR 1 billion across its Indian operations, covering manufacturing, engineering and other activities. Hazela did not disclose the size of any additional investment planned as part of the production expansion.
The company has been increasing the role of its Indian engineering and manufacturing operations within its wider global network. In April, Stellantis announced the export of the Citroën Basalt to South Africa, taking cumulative exports of Citroën vehicles from India to that market to 10,000 units.
Hazela said: “India remains a key pillar of Stellantis' growth strategy. Having invested close to Rs. 11,000 crore in the country to build a strong manufacturing, engineering and export ecosystem, we continue to see significant opportunities ahead. This milestone will enable greater integration and enhance our ability to respond more quickly to customer and market needs.”
Also Read: 4 New Car Brands Eyeing India: JSW, Genesis, Leapmotor, Slate Auto
Stellantis is also preparing to expand its product range in India following a relatively quiet period for new launches. The company has previously indicated that India will support both domestic products and global export programs.
Under its FaSTLAne 2030 plan, Stellantis is targeting higher capacity utilisation across its manufacturing footprint and greater volumes through new products. The global strategy also aims to shorten vehicle development cycles and make better use of regional production capabilities.
This growth is expected to create significant employment opportunities, with the direct workforce projected to more than double from 610 employees in 2026, while generating substantial indirect employment across the supplier and logistics ecosystem.
For India, the planned increase to around 50,000 vehicles would mark a substantial change in the scale of operations. With the majority of that output expected to go overseas, the company is positioning its Indian manufacturing and engineering base as an increasingly important part of its global supply chain.