Tata Motors primary plant in Sanand reached a significant milestone on Friday by producing its one millionth car since its inception nearly 14 years ago. Originally established for manufacturing small cars, the facility has evolved into a hub for electric vehicles and factory-fitted CNG cars.
Spanning across 1,100 acres, including a 360-acre vendor park, the Sanand-1 plant contributes to 20% of Tata Motors’ overall car production, according to Shailesh Chandra, Managing Director of Tata Motors Passenger Vehicle and Tata Passenger Electric Mobility. Chandra emphasized the significance of this achievement, highlighting the challenges faced during the factory’s establishment in January 2010.
The plant, equipped to produce petrol, CNG, and electric powertrains, holds a notable position as Tata Motors’ pioneer factory for CNG and electric vehicles. Chandra outlined the powertrain distribution, indicating 40% for electric and petrol each, and 20% for CNG.
With its comprehensive and highly automated operations, the plant has increased its installed capacity from 135,000 cars in 2010 to 190,000 cars presently, discontinuing diesel car production along the way. Notably, the facility marked Tata Motors’ entry into electric vehicle manufacturing in December 2017 with the production of electric Tigor sedans for Energy Efficiency Services Ltd (EESL).
Chandra highlighted the plant’s evolution, from a separate shop for electric vehicle assembly to seamless integration into the main assembly line. Currently operating at 70% of its installed capacity, the focus is on achieving green operations, with 50% of power consumption sourced from renewable sources and plans to reach 100% green energy within three years.
Additionally, Chandra discussed the plant’s CSR initiatives, including village adoption programs focusing on sanitation, women’s skill development, and girl child education. Looking ahead, the plant aims to adapt to manufacturing larger cars to align with market trends, ensuring flexibility to accommodate diverse car sizes.
Chandra also mentioned Tata Motors’ international expansion plans, leveraging enhanced safety features and electric vehicles to penetrate global markets. Lastly, he expressed optimism regarding the industry’s projected volume support, indicating a robust foundation for future investments in product development and capabilities.
