"Aptiv Invests $45 Million in Chennai Manufacturing Expansion"

Dublin-based Aptiv Plc, formerly known as Delphi Automotive, has announced a $45 million investment to expand its manufacturing operations in Oragadam, near Chennai. This expansion is in response to the rising demand for parts for software-defined vehicles (SDVs) in India.

The Chennai facility will now feature an additional 220,000 square feet of production space, dedicated to developing and providing powertrain-agnostic, software-defined cockpit solutions. The expansion will also double the plant’s workforce to approximately 230 employees.

Matthew Cole, Senior Vice President & President of Advanced Safety & User Experience (AS & UX) at Aptiv, explained in an interview with BusinessLine that the new plant will focus on designing and manufacturing next-generation software-defined integrated cockpit controllers tailored for the Indian market. He emphasized that, similar to the transformation brought by electric vehicles, the industry is now undergoing a shift towards software-defined vehicles.

Cole highlighted the increasing focus of Indian automotive OEMs on enhancing in-vehicle user experiences, which is driving demand for advanced features such as multiple cameras, streaming devices, and rear-seat entertainment systems. These features require high-performance computing and sophisticated design to support updates and new functionalities post-sale. With the growing importance of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) in India, features like blind spot detection and automatic emergency braking are becoming crucial.

“Adapting global systems for the Indian market often falls short,” Cole said. “Our investment is focused on creating tailored solutions designed and manufactured specifically for India. Our systems, developed at our technical centre in Bengaluru and produced in Chennai, embody a ‘Made in India for India’ approach.”

Aptiv’s $20 billion global operations are distinguished by their end-to-end control of the process—from sensors to hardware. Cole noted that Aptiv's recent acquisition of Wind River, a company specializing in operating systems, enhances its capability to offer cloud-native edge processing solutions with over-the-air updates.

The Chennai plant is designed for scalability, initially focusing on integrated cockpit controllers and software-defined user experiences, but also capable of producing ADAS systems, radars, cameras, and other ECUs. This setup not only serves the Indian market but also positions Aptiv for potential exports.

Since 1995, Aptiv has established a significant presence in India, with seven manufacturing plants, three technical centres in Bengaluru, Chennai, and Pune, and a global tooling centre. The company employs around 13,000 people in India.

“Our business is well-balanced across North America, Europe, and Asia, with about one-third of our revenue from each region. India plays a vital role in maintaining this balance,” Cole added.

HBL