Tata Group To Soon Start Manufacturing iPhones For Domestic, Global Markets In India

Apple is considering India as a potential location for manufacturing iPhones, with the Tata Group planning to produce the devices in the country for both domestic and international markets.

Electronics and Technology Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar said today that the government will provide support to the Tata Group and other Indian electronics companies as they seek partnerships with global brands

Taking to social media platform X, Chandrasekhar expressed government's full support for the growth of Global Indian electronics companies.

"PM Narendra Modi Ji's visionary PLI scheme has already propelled India into becoming a trusted & major hub for smartphone manufacturing and exports. Now within just two and a half years, Tata Group will now start making iPhones from India for domestic and global markets from India. Congratulations to the Tata team for taking over Wistron operations," the minister wrote on X.

He emphasised the importance of these companies in becoming trusted manufacturing and talent partners for global Electronic brands, aligning with the Prime Minister's vision of making India a global electronics power.

The deal was finalised after Taiwan-based Wistron Corp., a contract manufacturer for Apple, granted approval for the sale of its India unit to Tata Group for $125 million.

Tata Group will own a 100 per cent stake in Wistron InfoComm Manufacturing (India) Private Limited (WMMI) following board approval. The deal will proceed to obtain the necessary approvals upon confirmation by the relevant parties.

Apple's strategy is undergoing a major change with this move, as it has typically depended on Chinese factories to manufacture the majority of its new iPhones and ship them globally to customers.

The trade war between the US and China, along with increasing labor costs in China, has led Apple to seek out alternative production sources. India has become an appealing option for the US tech giant due to its sizable consumer market, skilled workforce, and favorable government policies.

Apple began manufacturing iPhones in India in 2017, starting with the iPhone SE. Over time, the company has progressively expanded its operations, culminating in the local assembly of the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus.