Google has will invest billions of dollars in Tamil Nadu to establish smartphone production facilities, according to a Bloomberg reprot. The Alphabet subsidiary reportedly intends to assemble Pixel phones in the state and set up new production lines in collaboration with Taiwanese contract manufacturing partner Foxconn.
The decision to accelerate manufacturing efforts in India follows a global trend of companies, including Apple, shifting production away from China to mitigate geopolitical risks. By choosing Tamil Nadu, Google will tap into the region’s growing manufacturing sector.
According to Bloomberg sources, representatives from the Tamil Nadu government, led by Minister for Industries T.R.B. Rajaa and senior executives, engaged in discussions with senior Google management in the United States to advocate for their state as an ideal manufacturing location.
While Google has not yet officially commented on the reports, earlier indications suggest the company’s intention to commence production of Pixel 8 smartphones in India. Apple has already shifted a portion of its iPhone production to the country, joining Samsung Electronics in establishing assembly operations.
The decision by global technology giants to invest in manufacturing in India could potentially benefit Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration, particularly amid ongoing elections. Modi’s policies, including production-linked financial incentives, have played a pivotal role in attracting electronics manufacturers to the country in recent times.
(Inputs from Bloomberg)