Hyundai expands EV manufacturing and skill development plans in Tamil Nadu ahead of New EV launch

Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) has reaffirmed its long-standing partnership with the Government of Tamil Nadu (GoTN), underscoring the state’s growing significance within the company’s future mobility strategy by committing to make Tamil Nadu its ‘Flagship EV Hub for India’.

The announcement marks another important milestone in Hyundai’s evolving India growth story, with the company simultaneously unveiling an exclusive skill development collaboration with the Government of Tamil Nadu aimed at enhancing the global employability of the state’s youth. The initiative is scheduled to commence operations in December 2027.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Tarun Garg, MD & CEO – HMIL, said, “HMIL’s initiatives will strengthen Tamil Nadu’s leadership in sustainable mobility and automotive excellence, while also accelerating skill development to foster a future-ready workforce. We will roll out two new models from the Chennai facility, including our first mass-market dedicated EV within this year, marking a significant step towards accelerating EV adoption and building a strong EV ecosystem. Alongside, advancing EV localization, we are equally focused on developing a future-ready skilled workforce, enabling talent to support future automotive technologies. A true testimony to ‘Born in Tamil Nadu, Made for the World,’ HMIL has so far exported over 3.9 million vehicles made in Tamil Nadu to more than 150 countries, a shining example of how world-class manufacturing in the state is driving India’s journey towards becoming a global automotive powerhouse.”

As part of its broader electrification roadmap, HMIL has already established Tamil Nadu’s first battery sub-assembly facility for EV powertrains and continues to actively localise power electronics and other critical components. These efforts align closely with Tamil Nadu’s aspirations of becoming one of India’s foremost electric vehicle manufacturing destinations.

The company has also made significant progress in strengthening the state’s EV charging ecosystem. HMIL currently operates 39 DC fast-charging stations comprising 78 charging points across Tamil Nadu, helping improve customer confidence while supporting wider EV adoption. Supported by a strategically distributed network spanning key urban centres and transit corridors, Hyundai intends to further expand charging coverage across major cities and highways over the next two to three years as it broadens its affordable electric vehicle portfolio in India.

In a parallel move, HMIL announced an enhanced collaboration with the Government of Tamil Nadu focused on equipping young talent with advanced manufacturing and mobility skills for domestic and international employment opportunities.

With the objective of positioning Tamil Nadu as a leading source of highly skilled manufacturing talent, the initiative will provide exposure to next-generation technologies including electric vehicles, hydrogen mobility, robotics, automation, AI-enabled manufacturing and smart manufacturing systems.

To ensure the programme’s operational success, the Government of Tamil Nadu will work closely with HMIL through partnerships with Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), polytechnics, engineering colleges and skill development institutions across the state.

The collaboration will additionally place emphasis on workplace communication capabilities, including language proficiency, thereby improving employment mobility and opening doors to wider career opportunities across India and global markets. The initiative reflects a shared recognition that Tamil Nadu’s youthful talent pool represents one of the state’s most valuable strengths.

Further reinforcing its long-term manufacturing commitment, HMIL has outlined plans to significantly increase localisation levels across both EV and internal combustion engine (ICE) operations.

The company aims to raise localisation from the current 82 per cent to 90 per cent over the next five to six years. In parallel, Hyundai intends to increase procurement value from Tamil Nadu-based suppliers by approximately ₹4,000 crore, a move expected to generate around 2,000 additional jobs within the state during the same period.

These measures are expected to strengthen domestic manufacturing capabilities, deepen the supplier ecosystem and reduce reliance on imports, while further enhancing India’s competitiveness as a global automotive production base.

HMIL also reaffirmed its previously announced investment commitment of more than INR 26,000 crore in Tamil Nadu between 2023 and 2032, forming a significant component of the company’s broader ₹45,000 crore investment strategy.

The planned investments are expected to support long-term industrial expansion, strengthen the innovation ecosystem, advance sustainability objectives and create substantial employment opportunities across the value chain.

As Hyundai deepens its footprint in the state, Tamil Nadu’s position as a global automotive and mobility hub continues to gain momentum, supported by growing EV manufacturing capabilities, advanced localisation efforts, world-class exports and a future-focused talent development ecosystem.