OP Mobility plans five new plants in India over next five years, commits ₹3,180 crore investment

Mumbai: French auto parts maker OP Mobility plans to open one manufacturing plant in India every year for the next five years as part of its strategy to augment capacity to meet strong demand from automobile companies, said Christian Kopp, global chief operating officer.

Its six existing plants in the country are currently operating at high utilisation levels, with most running three shifts.

Also Read: Sona Comstar expects annual investments to rise from Rs 500-600 cr as business grows: MD


India is also expected to be the company's fastest-growing market globally over the same period, said Kopp. "India is clearly the country where the growth will exceed the growth of the company," Kopp told ET.

OP Mobility has committed an investment of about 300 million (₹3,180 crore) in India over the next few years. It currently operates four fuel tank plants and two exterior component facilities and is looking to expand its product range as vehicle makers demand more sophisticated parts.

Also Read: Bombay High Court questions arrest of Schaeffler India chief after fatal factory accident

A new fuel tank plant at Kharkhoda in Haryana, set up as a 55:45 joint venture with Maruti Suzuki, will have an annual capacity of about one million tanks and will exclusively supply the automaker. The company also opened a plant in Badhalwadi, Pune, last year, investing about 35 million. It is expanding capacity there to double production on its robotic plant line.

The expansion comes as OP Mobility moves beyond conventional bumpers and fuel tanks to supply higher-value products. Its portfolio currently includes plastic tailgates and exterior modules integrating lighting and software. Fuel tanks are also becoming more sophisticated to meet the requirements of hybrid vehicles, while the company is expanding into battery packs and hydrogen storage, said Kopp.