Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) is in advanced discussions to manufacture electric vehicles in India, potentially creating its largest manufacturing facility outside the UK. This news comes as negotiations for the India-UK Free Trade Agreement are ongoing.
Tata Motors and JLR Collaboration
JLR is considering using the Avinya fleet of cars from Tata Motors, built on the Electrified Modular Architecture (EMA) platform. Initially, Tata Motors planned to develop the Avinya platform in-house but decided to adopt JLR architecture, causing a slight delay in the rollout schedule. If approved, this project would require a significant investment and result in the production of at least four models each from Tata Motors and JLR over the next decade.
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Tata Group’s Investment in EV Sector
This Tata Group investment aligns with its goals in the EV mobility sector, particularly in cell manufacturing, through its subsidiary Agratas. Considering future opportunities, Tata Agratas may supply battery packs to JLR if India-based EV manufacturing plans materialize.
Additionally, Tata Motors’ Group CFO, PB Balaji, sees strategic significance in adopting JLR’s EMA platform, which is compatible with the Avinya range. The Avinya architecture has the potential to create a family of electric vehicles, indicating Tata Motors’ global market dreams in the EV segment.
Advanced Features of the EMA Platform
The EMA platform offers advanced features like Software Over The Air (SOTA), Level 2+ autonomy, and ultrafast charging technologies. Production of EMA-based vehicles will start in late 2024 at JLR’s Halewood plant in the UK, with plans for localization in India by Tata Motors.
Importance of Collaboration
The collaboration between Tata Motors and JLR builds upon their successful development of SUVs based on the Jaguar Land Rover Freelander’s D8 platform. The outcome of negotiations for the India-UK Free Trade Agreement will have implications for both countries’ automotive industries and the future of electric mobility. Meanwhile, stakeholders have to await further clarity on the trade agreement and approval for the venture.