Chennai: Hyundai Motor India Limited has reaffirmed its long-standing partnership with the Government of Tamil Nadu, announcing the state as its Flagship EV Hub for India with a strong focus on electric vehicle manufacturing, localisation, charging infrastructure and skill development.
The announcement strengthens Tamil Nadu’s position as one of India’s most important automotive manufacturing centres and signals Hyundai’s deeper commitment to future mobility from its Chennai base. In simple terms, Tamil Nadu’s car-building résumé just got another very shiny electric badge.
As part of the initiative, Hyundai and the Tamil Nadu Government also announced an exclusive Skill Development collaboration aimed at improving the global employability of the state’s youth. The programme is scheduled to begin operations in December 2027.
Commenting on the development, Tarun Garg, MD & CEO, Hyundai Motor India Limited, 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.”
Hyundai said it has already established Tamil Nadu’s first battery sub-assembly plant for EV powertrains and is actively localising power electronics and other key components. This will support the state’s ambition of becoming a leading EV manufacturing hub, while also helping India reduce dependence on imported components.
The company has also built a DC fast EV charging ecosystem in Tamil Nadu with 39 stations and 78 charging points. These chargers are positioned across key urban and transit corridors to support wider EV adoption. Hyundai plans to further expand charging coverage across major cities and highways in the state over the next two to three years, especially as it prepares to introduce more affordable EV offerings in India.
A major part of the announcement is Hyundai’s focus on youth skill development. The company said the initiative will expose students and young workers to next-generation technologies such as electric vehicles, hydrogen mobility, robotics, automation, AI-enabled manufacturing and smart manufacturing systems. Basically, the future factory worker may soon know as much about artificial intelligence as your phone thinks it knows about you.
The Tamil Nadu Government will support the initiative by facilitating partnerships with ITIs, polytechnics, engineering colleges and skill development institutions across the state. The collaboration will also include workplace communication and language training, helping young people access employment opportunities not just within Tamil Nadu, but across India and global markets.
Hyundai also reiterated its commitment to strengthening localisation across both EV and internal combustion engine manufacturing. The company plans to increase localisation levels from the current 82% to 90% over the next five to six years.
In addition, Hyundai aims to increase purchasing value from Tamil Nadu-based suppliers by approximately ₹4,000 crore, which is expected to create around 2,000 additional jobs in the state over the next five to six years. This is expected to support local suppliers, deepen the automotive supply chain and give Tamil Nadu’s industrial ecosystem a further boost.
Hyundai reaffirmed its continued investment of over ₹26,000 crore in Tamil Nadu between 2023 and 2032, forming part of the company’s broader ₹45,000 crore investment commitment. The investment will support long-term industrial growth, innovation, sustainability goals and employment generation.
With exports of more than 3.9 million vehicles from Tamil Nadu to over 150 countries, Hyundai’s Chennai operations have already played a major role in India’s automotive export story. The latest announcement adds a new electric chapter to that journey.
For Tamil Nadu, the move further strengthens its reputation as a global mobility hub. For Hyundai, it positions Chennai as a critical base for its electric future. And for India’s EV industry, it is another clear sign that the road ahead is not just electric, but increasingly local, skilled and proudly made in India.
