By Swaraj Baggonkar, Financial Express
After cements, paints and ports, JSW Group has big plans for the automotive sector. Parth Jindal, MD, JSW Cement and JSW Paints, shares with Swaraj Baggonkar the details of the group’s plans, including the launch of a new electric car at Rs 10 lakh, besides plans to hike equity in JSW MG Motor India.
Will you offer more products in the mass market segment?
We are working on an electric vehicle (EV) which will be smaller than the Windsor. We hope we can bring in that model in the Rs 10-12 lakh price bracket. We will also bring in a larger SUV, which will be offered with three drivetrains – EV, hybrid and ICE (internal combustion engines).
Are you talking to other OEMs for partnerships?
We currently have the venture with MG and are now looking at increasing our holding in it. Discussions are going on. We believe we need to make more investment. SAIC’s focus is on European and Chinese markets, so, they are not looking to make more investments in the Indian market, whereas we want to double down on India.
Can you share more product-related details?
We are working on the JSW-badged cars. We have tied up with a global OEM from China for technology. We cannot disclose its identity, but we are targeting to launch our car in the first half of 2027.
Are you targeting other segments within auto?
We are also working on commercial vehicles where we have tied up for technology and licence with another global OEM. That business should start producing its first product in the first half of next year. We won’t have JSW badging on the CV.
Where will these vehicles be produced?
As of now, we are setting up the factory for commercial vehicles and JSW-badged passenger vehicles at (Chhatrapati) Sambhajinagar. We are also evaluating the battery project very seriously; we are working on securing that technology.
