Stellantis takes full control of Thiruvallur plant after acquiring CK Birla Group stake

Global automotive major Stellantis India on Monday (September 21) said it has acquired the remaining stake held by Hindustan Motor Finance Corporation Ltd (HMFCL), a CK Birla Group company, in Stellantis Automobiles India Private Ltd (SAIPL), giving it full ownership of the company and its manufacturing operations in Thiruvallur, Tamil Nadu.

The transaction was funded through Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), Stellantis said, adding that it will support deeper operational integration, faster decision-making and greater agility in India.

The relationship between Stellantis and the CK Birla Group dates back to 2017, when the two companies came together to establish a long-term manufacturing and mobility partnership in India. Stellantis said the collaboration over the years has laid the foundation for its next phase of growth in the country.

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Since the start of vehicle assembly operations in 2021, Stellantis' Thiruvallur facility has become a key pillar of the company's growth strategy in India. The plant manufactures the Citroën C3, ë-C3, C3 Aircross, and Basalt, achieving over 95% localisation and reflecting Stellantis' commitment to strengthening the local automotive ecosystem.

More broadly, Stellantis has invested over €1 billion in India to support its long-term growth ambitions, including manufacturing, product development, localisation, and capability building. The Thiruvallur facility benefits from a strong supplier and logistics ecosystem while contributing to Tamil Nadu's position as a leading automotive manufacturing hub.

Looking ahead, Stellantis is targeting a production ramp-up of over 160%, growing from 16,000 units in 2026 to more than 43,000 units annually by 2028. This growth is expected to create significant employment opportunities, with the direct workforce projected to more than double from 610 employees in 2026, while generating substantial indirect employment across the supplier and logistics ecosystem.

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Thiruvallur is also expanding its global footprint, serving customers across eight export markets spanning four continents, while continuing to strengthen its reputation for quality, operational excellence and sustainable manufacturing.

Shailesh Hazela, CEO and Managing Director, Stellantis India, said, "India remains a key pillar of Stellantis' growth strategy. Having invested close to ₹11,000 crore in the country to build a strong manufacturing, engineering and export ecosystem, we continue to see significant opportunities ahead. This milestone will enable greater integration and enhance our ability to respond more quickly to customer and market needs."

He further added, "As we look ahead, we are committed to driving growth through new product investments, expanded manufacturing capacity, stronger export competitiveness and deeper localisation. India is playing an increasingly important role within Stellantis' global network, and we see significant potential to further scale our operations and contribution to the country's industrial growth."

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