JSW Motors eyes BYD and other Chinese partners for India car push
JSW Motors is in talks with BYD, Geely, Nio and others for tech access as it readies SUVs from its new Maharashtra plant before June 2026.
New Delhi: There is no slowing down in India’s car market. Steel giant Sajjan Jindal’s auto venture JSW Motors is preparing to roll out its first passenger vehicles before June next year, and it has already started conversations with some of the biggest names in China.
In an interview with Times of India, CEO Ranjan Nayak said the company is in talks with BYD and other Chinese automakers to get access to platforms and parts.
A new factory with big targets
The company is putting up a massive factory in Maharashtra with a production capacity of five lakh units annually. That’s not a small bet. Nayak even suggested that the site could produce cars for BYD itself, since the Chinese giant currently ships its vehicles into India and pays heavy customs duties.
JSW has lined up ₹26,000 crore over five years to get into the passenger car segment. The plan is ambitious: 25 new models by 2030. If things go right, this plant could double as an export hub, with cars heading out not just to Indian buyers but also to markets in the US and Europe.
Who’s at the table
Besides BYD, the talks include Geely, Chery, Xiaomi, Li Auto and Nio. That’s quite a shopping list. Some European firms like Volkswagen and Renault are also part of the discussions.
Nayak explained that the company wants to avoid locking itself to a single partner. Instead, the focus is on sourcing technology, components, and platforms from whoever is willing to collaborate. Payments would include upfront fees and royalties, while the tech would stay open for localisation in India.
Focus on SUVs first
JSW’s first set of cars will target the SUV body type. Electrified options are the main focus, ranging from battery electric to plug-in hybrids and range extenders. SUVs will be followed by a premium sedan in 2027. A hatchback aimed at fleets and taxi operators is also on the cards, priced around ₹8–9 lakh. For the early launches, the price bracket will sit between ₹22 lakh and ₹25 lakh.
For car fans like me, this strategy makes sense. SUVs dominate the Indian market, and new buyers are far more likely to take a chance on a fresh brand if the vehicle is big, stylish, and feels robust on the road.
Brutal localisation
The company is also running JSW MG Motor, a joint venture with SAIC, but Nayak pointed out that it doesn’t want equity involvement in such tie-ups. The only target is "brutal localisation.” The plan is simple: bring in the tech, build in India, and pay a fee for the know-how.