Aptiv Strengthens India Operations as Potential Export Hub for ASEAN Market, ETAuto

Aptiv executives underlined that their immediate focus is to build solutions designed, developed and manufactured locally. Global auto technology supplier Aptiv is sharpening its India focus with new investments in Chennai and Bengaluru, aimed at serving domestic OEMs and potentially extending the reach into Southeast Asia. According to the company’s top executive, India’s role is no longer limited to cost arbitrage; but it is fast becoming central to the company’s innovation and future growth.

“The auto industry has been undergoing a massive transformation,” Javed Khan, Executive Vice President & President, Software & Advanced Safety & User Experience (AS&UX), Aptiv, told ET Manufacturing. “India started slow, but the pace has picked up dramatically. With our new centre here, we are working with OEMs like Mahindra who are moving very quickly.”

India for India, with ASEAN in sight

Aptiv executives underlined that their immediate focus is to build solutions designed, developed and manufactured locally. Yet the inauguration of the new Chennai tech centre has widened the horizon. “Our focus right now is very much in India, for India. With today’s inauguration we are building solutions designed and developed in India, manufactured in India, and for India,” said Matthew Cole (Mike), Senior Vice President & President, Global Advanced Safety & User Experience (AS&UX), Aptiv. “That said, we do see potential to serve the ASEAN region from here in the future.”The Chennai facility, spread over 34,000 square feet, will host up to 500 engineers by 2026 and houses advanced labs to accelerate innovation in AI, ML, safety-critical systems and next-generation ADAS and in-cabin perception technologies. The centre was inaugurated in the presence of senior leadership from both Aptiv and Mahindra & Mahindra, underscoring the company’s deepening engagement with domestic OEMs.

“Our Bengaluru centre is already Aptiv’s largest global software hub. Chennai brings us closer to Indian OEMs. As we refine our solutions for India, a highly cost-sensitive market, we see opportunities to extend into ASEAN, leveraging Chennai as a delivery centre,” added Arun Devraj, Vice President & Managing Director, Advanced Safety & User Experience (AS&UX) APAC (Non-China), Aptiv.

Asia already accounts for close to a third of Aptiv’s global revenue– around 29 per cent of its $19.7 billion sales in 2024. For the Dublin-headquartered firm, strengthening its base in India and looking at opportunities in ASEAN fits within this wider regional contribution, where cost-sensitive innovation is likely to remain a defining theme.

Software defined vehicles are at the centre of Aptiv’s strategy. Cars that can be continuously updated after sale offer significant benefits, from predictive maintenance to reduced lifetime costs. “We do not see SDVs as premium-only. They actually reduce costs over time. At Aptiv we have developed a modular architecture where entry-level cars can use the same software stack with a less powerful computer while premium cars use more powerful computers but still share the base software. This makes the solution scalable and affordable,” said Khan.

Safety will be another immediate priority. India and ASEAN both have high road fatality rates and current ADAS usage is limited. “ADAS in India today is still basic, mostly ultrasonic sensors. There is little use of radar or vision systems. Given India’s high road fatality rates, this is where we see the greatest opportunity to make an impact,” said Devraj.

The company has so far prioritised passenger vehicles, beginning with Mahindra, but executives did not rule out expanding into two- and three-wheelers in the future. “For two- and three-wheelers, the entry point is more cost-driven. While we may expand into that space later, we believe safety is the more immediate opportunity,” Devraj said.

The Bengaluru tech centre has long been at the heart of Aptiv’s global software engineering effort, with more than 2,000 engineers contributing to worldwide platforms. The new Chennai facility now complements that strength by focusing on localisation of AI/ML-powered ADAS and in-cabin sensing technologies. Together, the two centres are expected to serve as Aptiv’s twin pillars in India, with an eye on wider regional relevance.

Executives also linked the automotive transformation to broader computing parallels. “In automotive, the change is not just about compute power but also the inclusion of neural processing units that enable AI and ML. We are moving toward the intelligent edge, where processing happens in the car rather than the cloud. This enables more advanced, personalised, and responsive in-vehicle experiences,” said Cole.

The rise of electric vehicles is accelerating the shift. “Your observation is correct, but it is more about legacy than technology,” Khan explained when asked why installing a dashcam is easier in EVs. “ICE vehicles were built on older architectures, so wiring and compute integration are more complex. EVs often start with more modern architectures, making integration easier. Over time, as OEMs transition fully to zonal and SDV based architectures, the difference between ICE and EV will disappear.”

Hiring will be central to Aptiv’s plans. “This expansion is about building in India for India. We expect to keep adding capacity as ADAS and in-cabin experiences become more technology driven. India remains a great talent hub not just for cost reasons but for expertise,” Khan said.

Devraj pointed out that the company is preparing for an AI-led future. “Just like mobile phones now market AI as a selling point, cars are heading in that direction. Conversational AI, edge computing and ADAS safety software will be major drivers of our hiring here.”

Beyond automotive, Aptiv also sees potential crossover into other industries. “Aptiv is deeply focused on building the technology stack for cars. But these same trends apply to other industries like robotics and drones. That is another area where Aptiv is investing, and India will play a role in that expansion too,” Khan concluded.

• Published On Aug 18, 2025 at 04:45 PM IST

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