Billionaire Sajjan Jindal’s JSW Motors is in discussions with BYD and several other Chinese firms, including Geely, Cherry, Xiaomi, Nio Auto, and Li Auto, for platform and component access ahead of launching its own vehicles next year, CEO Ranjan Nayak told the Times of India. JSW Motors aims to launch cars before June 2026 from a new Maharashtra factory with a 500,000-unit annual capacity. Nayak also mentioned talks with European manufacturers like Volkswagen and Renault as part of their expansion plans, targeting 25 new models by 2030.
BYD currently imports cars into India, paying high customs duties, but JSW Motors is open to manufacturing BYD vehicles at its Maharashtra plant, potentially turning India into an export hub for global markets. JSW plans to focus on electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids, and range extenders, with SUVs prioritized initially and a premium sedan expected by 2027. Early models will cost around ₹22-25 lakh, followed by mass-market hatchbacks priced at ₹8-9 lakh.
JSW Motors seeks “brutal localisation” by acquiring core tech and platforms through partnerships, paying fees and royalties without equity involvement, ensuring flexibility without reliance on a single partner.
