Amid rising competition in the Indian auto market, Stellantis is considering a new round of investment in India. The Dutch group, which owns automotive brands such as Fiat, Jeep, Chrysler, and Peugeot, aims to expand its retail network and launch new products in the Indian market, where its share has dwindled to just 1%. As the world’s fourth-largest automaker, Stellantis also seeks to double its exports from India.
Stellantis has so far invested close to Rs 11,000 crore in India. The brand has further revealed that the scope of its future investments will be guided by its upcoming programs and the balance between domestic and export-focused operations.
Over the years, Japanese and Korean manufacturers have held a majority share in India’s automobile market, the third largest in the world. In addition, indigenous automakers Tata Motors and M&M are also significant players, accounting for nearly a quarter of sales between them.
Stellantis’s Game Plan For India
Stellantis is planning to take a phased approach to expansion in the local market, focusing on back-end capability, localisation, and select products. Sustained growth, however, will depend on how well the company aligns its offerings with Indian consumer expectations and competitive price structures.
Jeep’s current lineup consists of the Jeep range and Citroen models such as the C3 hatchback, C3 Aircross, and the recent Basalt. Although the company has a sprawling product line, none of its vehicles has been able to deliver high sales volumes.
Last year, the manufacturer exported about 10,000 fully built vehicles, along with 300,000 engines and powertrains from India. India currently accounts for roughly 2% of the group’s global volume base of 5–6 million units. The component supply chain has also scaled up significantly; it now works with around 500 local suppliers.
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