MAHLE has started production of e-compressors in India, becoming the first company to establish an e-compressor manufacturing facility in the country. The new production line is located in Coimbatore and represents an investment of €7 million.
Coimbatore was selected for the facility due to its strong manufacturing ecosystem, skilled talent pool and MAHLE’s established operational presence in the region. The investment further strengthens the company’s manufacturing capabilities in India and supports the growing requirements of the country’s automotive industry.
E-compressors play a key role in the thermal management systems of electric vehicles. They help regulate battery temperature, supporting battery life, faster charging and driving range.
The new production line has been developed to meet international manufacturing and quality standards, with MAHLE targeting consistent product quality and reliability for both domestic and international customers.
At full production capacity, the Coimbatore facility will be capable of manufacturing more than 300,000 e-compressors annually. The products will cater to customers in India as well as global markets.
The new facility is also expected to create around 50 new jobs, further strengthening MAHLE’s contribution to local manufacturing and skilled employment.
The investment aligns with the Indian government’s Make in India 2.0 initiative and reflects MAHLE’s continued focus on expanding its local manufacturing footprint while supporting the long-term development of India’s automotive sector.
With electric vehicle adoption increasing globally, the start of e-compressor production in India marks another step in MAHLE’s strategy to strengthen its electrification and thermal management technology portfolio.
With the launch of this advanced e-compressor manufacturing facility, MAHLE has expanded its product portfolio for electrification. The Coimbatore plant already manufactures starter motors, alternators, two-wheeler and three-wheeler traction motors and controllers. In 2023, MAHLE established a research and development facility to develop local expertise in product validation, further strengthening the company´s engineering and manufacturing capabilities in the region. The staffing of the whole plant has been designed with a target of 75 percent women workforce by 2027, fostering an inclusive and progressive work environment while creating meaningful employment opportunities in the region.
“India continues to play an increasingly important role in the global mobility transformation. This facility strengthens our presence in one of the world’s most dynamic automotive markets and reinforces our commitment to sustainable mobility solutions,” said Ivan Lenehan, Vice President MAHLE Powertrain and Charging, India, China & East Asia.
Milind Mhaiskar, Managing Director MAHLE Electric Drives India, expressed his immense pride and happiness at witnessing the successful completion of this landmark project. By acknowledging the hard work of involved teams he said, “This production facility underscores our focus on localization and customer-centric innovation. The success of this project reflects the dedication of our teams and our collaborative approach with business partners.”
MAHLE set its foot on Indian soil way back in 1958 through a joint venture for manufacture of pistons. From 1997 onwards, MAHLE started to enter other business verticals like valvetrain components, filtration and engine peripherals, thermal management, and electronics & mechatronics while also setting up independent aftermarket and a global Technology Center in India. Today, MAHLE is present at 15 locations with around 5,900 employees and is an important partner almost to every OEM in the country.
