A new chapter in India’s automotive manufacturing story is about to unfold. Tata Motors, in a major boost for its ‘Make in India for the World’ initiative, is gearing up to inaugurate its greenfield manufacturing plant in Panapakkam, Ranipet district, Tamil Nadu. Backed by a massive ₹9,000 crore investment, the facility is slated to start operations in the first half of February 2026, with the first vehicle to roll off the line being the Range Rover Evoque—a luxury SUV from the Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) stable, priced from around ₹65 lakh (ex-showroom).
Big Investment, Big Ambitions
Spread over 470 acres, the Ranipet plant is designed for a robust annual production capacity of over 2.5 lakh vehicles within the next five to seven years. It’s not just about Tata-branded cars; the plant will also assemble models from the JLR portfolio, underscoring Tata’s ambition to make India a global export hub for both its in-house and luxury vehicles. The plant will kick off with Completely Knocked Down (CKD) operations, with plans to localize more models in phases.
The inauguration event is expected to see Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin in attendance—a clear sign of the facility’s strategic importance for both the conglomerate and the state government.
JLR Comeback and Market Sentiment
Tata Motors’ move comes on the back of a strong year, driven by a resurgent Jaguar Land Rover lineup and growing demand for SUVs and electric vehicles (EVs) in India. Improved semiconductor supply and stable production have helped turn JLR from a former drag on Tata’s finances to a genuine profit engine. The company’s stock has cooled off slightly after a big rally last year, but analysts note that investor sentiment is markedly more positive than in the days when Tata Motors was seen as a perennial underperformer.
Meanwhile, Tata is pushing ahead on all fronts—launching new petrol-powered Harrier and Safari SUVs with advanced tech, and getting ready for the Tata Punch Facelift launch on January 13. The new Ranipet plant is poised to anchor Tata’s future growth, both domestically and in export markets, as the company answers rising competition in India’s rapidly evolving auto landscape.
