Global Tier-1 automotive technology leader Aptiv has further strengthened its presence in India with the inauguration of a new AS/UX Technical Centre in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. The new facility is part of Aptiv’s US$ 60 million (₹525 crore) investment plan, which also included a major capacity expansion at its Chennai plant last year to support Software-Defined Vehicle (SDV) and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) for the Indian market.
Driving Innovation “In India, For India”
Aptiv’s new technical centre will play a key role in shaping future vehicle software development, advanced safety, and user experience technologies tailored specifically for Indian OEMs.
- Initially, the centre will house around 300 engineers, scaling up to over 500 by 2026
- Focus areas include AI/ML-powered ADAS solutions, in-cabin perception systems, and next-gen infotainment technologies
- Aptiv already supplies digital cockpit solutions to Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) for models like the upcoming Mahindra BE 6
Spread across 34,000 sq. ft., the centre was inaugurated on August 18 by senior leaders from Aptiv and Mahindra, including R Velusamy, President, Automotive Business (Designate), M&M.
Global Leadership at the Helm
The inauguration saw the presence of key Aptiv executives:
- Javed Khan, EVP & President, Software, Advanced Safety & User Experience (AS&UX)
- Matthew Cole, SVP & President, Global AS&UX
- Arun Devraj, VP & MD, AS&UX, APAC (Non-China)
According to Javed Khan, Aptiv’s strategy revolves around co-locating engineering and manufacturing close to customers. “Over a three-year period, our investment is about US$ 60 million, which includes both the engineering centre as well as the manufacturing facility expansion,” he explained.
Tailored for Indian OEMs
While Aptiv’s Bengaluru technical centre has been primarily focused on global programmes, the new Chennai facility is aimed squarely at domestic OEM needs.
- The centre will allow customisation of ADAS and UX solutions for the Indian market
- Follows Aptiv’s model of localised engineering and production near OEMs such as Mahindra
- Marks a significant shift as AS&UX solutions once developed for global customers are now being increasingly adopted by Indian automakers
Growth in In-Cabin Technology and ADAS
India’s passenger vehicle segment is witnessing rapid adoption of digital cockpit solutions and in-cabin technologies.
- OEMs are prioritising user experience features as they are less safety-critical and faster to implement
- Aptiv sees early traction in UX-focused solutions in India
- On ADAS, penetration will largely be in Level-0 to Level-2+ features for the foreseeable future due to cost constraints
“ADAS adoption is still at an early stage in India, but this also means tremendous opportunity,” said Khan. “India is one of the few markets globally that offers strong growth potential, and we are excited about our continued partnership with Mahindra.”
A Long-Term Bet on India’s Future Mobility
With a strong presence in software, advanced safety, and user experience technologies, Aptiv is positioning itself as a leading technology partner for India’s growing mobility sector. The Chennai AS/UX Technical Centre, together with its expanded manufacturing plant, underscores the company’s commitment to developing future-ready solutions ‘In India, For India.’
