Uno Minda plans INR 14.15bn capex as aluminium casting capacity jumps 162%

Uno Minda is set to invest around INR 14.15 billion (USD 147.51 million) across four manufacturing expansion and consolidation projects, with a major portion of the spending directed towards increasing its aluminium casting capacity in Hosur, Tamil Nadu.

The automotive components maker plans to lift aluminium casting capacity at Hosur from around 13,000 tonnes to 34,000 tonnes at peak, representing an increase of about 162 per cent. The expansion will add 21,000 tonnes of capacity and serve demand across two-wheelers, passenger vehicles and commercial vehicles.

The broader investment programme will be implemented over the next two to three years and spans aluminium casting, alloy wheels, moulding, and interior, exterior and sealing components.

Uno Minda Managing Director Ravi Mehra said the projects are supported by orders or firm demand visibility, with the company looking to expand manufacturing capacity closer to its customers.

INR 5.1 billion aluminium casting project anchors expansion

Uno Minda will invest around INR 5.1 billion (USD 53.16 million) in a new greenfield aluminium casting facility at Thally Road in Hosur.

The facility will be developed in phases over three years, with the first phase scheduled to begin production by Q4 FY28. The company's existing Hosur operations are expected to be consolidated and relocated to the new site by Q1 FY29.

Alongside the additional casting capacity, the facility will have the capability to produce around 1 million high-pressure die-casting (HPDC) two-wheeler alloy wheels.

The aluminium casting operations will serve applications across two-wheelers, passenger vehicles and commercial vehicles, including electric vehicle and powertrain components.

Uno Minda Group CFO Sunil Bohra said the INR 14.15 billion (USD 147.51 million) programme represents a diversified allocation across products and locations, while the aluminium casting expansion is being supported by demand for lightweight components from EVs and advanced powertrain applications.

Alloy wheel production shifts towards northern India

Around INR 1.55 billion (USD 16.16 million) as been allocated to a new two-wheeler alloy wheel facility at Kharkhoda, Haryana, with planned capacity of 3.3 million units.

The project includes the relocation of 2 million units of existing capacity from Supa in Maharashtra. Production from the first phase is expected to begin by Q4 FY28.

The move will bring part of the company's alloy wheel manufacturing closer to customers in northern India while allowing Uno Minda to use infrastructure already established at its Kharkhoda manufacturing cluster.

Separately, Uno Minda Kyoraku will spend around INR 800 million (USD 8.34 million) to expand its moulding facility in Bengaluru. The upgraded facility is expected to start operations by Q1 FY28.

Toyoda Gosei JV adds INR 6.7 billion project

Toyoda Gosei South India will invest around INR 6.7 billion (USD 69.84 million) to establish a new manufacturing plant at Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra.

The facility will produce a range of automotive products, including interior and exterior components, airbags, hoses and body sealing products. It will be the joint venture's third plant in India and is expected to begin operations by Q4 FY29.

The project is backed by new customer orders, according to Uno Minda.

Taken together, the four projects expand Uno Minda's manufacturing footprint across key automotive hubs while increasing capacity in areas such as aluminium casting that are seeing demand from EV and advanced powertrain applications.