Brands
Hyundai powers ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ with localisation and EV breakthrough
MUMBAI: Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) isn’t just making cars; it’s making waves. With a roaring 92 per cent localisation in manufacturing and a game-changing battery-pack assembly plant in Chennai, Hyundai is taking its ‘Make-in-India’ commitment to full throttle. If this isn’t a rev-up moment for India’s automotive landscape, we don’t know what is.
Let’s talk numbers—1,238 indigenised parts, 194 vendors, and a whopping $672 million in forex savings (over Rs 5,678 crore) since 2019. Hyundai’s localisation journey is no leisurely Sunday drive; it’s a turbocharged race to leverage India’s resources and engineering talent.
Hyundai’s whole-time director & chief manufacturing officer, Gopalakrishnan Chathapuram Sivaramakrishnan, put it perfectly, “Our indigenisation aligns seamlessly with India’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ vision. The launch of the battery-pack assembly plant is not just a milestone; it’s a testament to our commitment to delivering world-class technology made in India.”
Oh, and did we mention that Hyundai’s Creta Electric now boasts locally assembled battery packs? Talk about an electrifying debut!
Why is everyone talking about Chennai? Because Hyundai and Mobis India have launched a state-of-the-art battery-pack assembly plant, complete with an annual capacity of 75,000 packs in phase one. Whether it’s NMC (Nickel-Manganese-Cobalt Oxide) or LFP (Lithium-Iron-Phosphate) batteries, this facility has it all.
Hyundai isn’t just building cars; it’s building them with 100 per cent locally sourced components like alternators, alloy wheels, catalytic converters, and shark fin antennas. Fancy tech like tyre pressure monitoring systems and panoramic sunroofs? Yep, localised too.
The company is also looking ahead with plans to replicate this success at its Talegaon manufacturing plant in Maharashtra. Can we hear a round of applause for the future?
In its localisation journey, Hyundai isn’t just saving forex; it’s creating jobs—1,400 direct employment opportunities, to be exact. The company’s engineering prowess and strategic partnerships are redefining what it means to be ‘Atmanirbhar’.
In a world racing toward electric and sustainable solutions, Hyundai’s efforts are more than just industry milestones—they’re a blueprint for automotive evolution. The localisation strategy isn’t just a business move; it’s a bold statement. And with the Creta Electric leading the charge, Hyundai is proving that Indian manufacturing isn’t just capable; it’s competitive.
Brands
Reliance Consumer Products partners with Fazer for premium chocolates in India
MoU signed during Finnish President’s visit to leverage RCPL’s distribution for Fazer brands.
MUMBAI: Reliance just added Finnish chocolate to its sweet spot because when the land of saunas meets the land of spices, the result is a premium bar that melts borders. Reliance Consumer Products Limited (RCPL) has signed a memorandum of understanding with Finnish food company Fazer to manufacture, market and distribute Fazer’s premium branded chocolates across India. The agreement was formalised during Finnish President Alexander Stubb’s state visit to India on 7 March 2026.
The long-term strategic partnership combines Fazer’s heritage recipes, quality standards and global chocolate expertise with RCPL’s massive distribution network reaching nearly three million retail outlets nationwide. The collaboration aims to introduce Fazer’s well-known premium products to Indian consumers while strengthening business ties between the two nations.
Reliance Consumer Products Limited director T. Krishnakumar said, “By combining Fazer’s globally trusted brands and manufacturing excellence with RCPL’s local production capabilities, robust distribution network and deep consumer insights, we are well positioned to bring world-class products to Indian consumers and elevate the overall category experience.”
Fazer president and CEO Christoph Vitzthum added, “With RCPL handling commercialisation and distribution in India, we can establish a premium position in the chocolate market and create a foundation for a broader nationwide rollout.”
Since its launch in 2022, RCPL has steadily expanded in the confectionery segment by reviving legacy Indian brands such as Ravalgaon, Toffeeman, Pan Pasand and Lotus Chocolate Company. Fazer, a major player in the Nordics, Baltics, Poland and China with exports to over 40 countries, sees India’s fast-growing chocolate market as a key opportunity.
In a country where chocolate is no longer just a treat but a growing daily indulgence, this tie-up isn’t just about bars, it’s about blending Nordic precision with Indian scale to sweeten the next chapter of the confectionery story.
