Chief Minister M. K. Stalin inaugurated the ₹9,000-crore Tata Motors and Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) passenger car manufacturing plant in Panapakkam, Ranipet district.
The event was marked by the rollout of the first Range Rover Evoque produced at the facility, signaling a major victory for Tamil Nadu’s industrial strategy. This plant is a historic first, as it brings the manufacturing of JLR’s luxury models to India, a task previously reserved for its global hubs in the UK, China, and Brazil.+1
Project BRAVO: The Ranipet Mega-Plant
The facility, spread over 470 acres, was completed in a record 16 months—a feat the Chief Minister used to showcase the state’s administrative efficiency.
| Feature | Details |
| Total Investment | ₹9,000 crore (USD 994 million) deployed in phases. |
| Annual Capacity | Phased ramp-up to 2.5 to 3 lakh vehicles (ICE & EV). |
| Job Creation | Estimated 5,000 direct jobs plus significant ancillary employment. |
| First Model | Range Rover Evoque (shifting assembly from Pune to Ranipet). |
| Target Markets | Both domestic Indian sales and global exports. |
The “Dravidian Model” and Global Competition
During the ceremony, M. K. Stalin emphasized that Tamil Nadu has moved beyond competing with other Indian states and is now a global contender for high-value manufacturing.
- Swift Execution: He compared the JLR plant’s 16-month timeline to the VinFast EV plant in Thoothukudi (opened August 2025), which followed a similarly aggressive schedule.
- Skill Development: Technicians for the plant were recruited via the Naan Mudhalvan scheme and Tata’s Lakshya “earn-while-you-learn” program, where polytechnic graduates receive company-sponsored B.Tech degrees.
- Sustainability: The facility is designed to be water-positive and operates on 100% renewable energy.
Upcoming: The “Conversion Conclave”
To further solidify investor confidence, the Chief Minister announced a Conversion Conclave to be held on February 12, 2026.
