Aptiv Invests $45 Million in Chennai Plant to Drive SDV Innovation

Dublin-based Aptiv Plc has announced a $45 million investment to expand its manufacturing operations in Oragadam, near Chennai. This expansion, aimed at meeting the growing demand for software-defined vehicles (SDVs) in India, will add 220,000 square feet of production space to the facility, doubling the workforce to approximately 230 employees.

The Chennai plant will focus on developing powertrain-agnostic, software-defined cockpit solutions tailored for the Indian market. Matthew Cole, Senior Vice President & President of Advanced Safety & User Experience (AS & UX) at Aptiv, emphasized the shift towards software-defined vehicles, likening it to the earlier transformation brought by electric vehicles.

Indian automotive OEMs are increasingly prioritizing enhanced in-vehicle user experiences, driving demand for advanced features like multiple cameras, streaming devices, and high-performance computing capabilities. Aptiv’s expanded operations will address this demand by designing and manufacturing integrated cockpit controllers and ADAS systems specifically for India.

The Chennai facility is part of Aptiv’s broader strategy to deliver “Made in India for India” solutions, leveraging the company’s technical expertise and global capabilities. The plant’s scalable design allows for future production of ADAS systems, radars, and other critical components, positioning Aptiv to serve both the domestic and export markets.

Aptiv’s investment reinforces its long-standing commitment to India, where it operates seven manufacturing plants and three technical centres. With a balanced global presence, India remains a crucial market in Aptiv’s growth strategy.

News by Rahul Yelligetti