JSW MG Motor lines up two new-energy SUVs for FY27 launch, plans ₹1,400 cr investment

Gurgaon: JSW MG Motor is preparing to launch two new-energy SUVs in FY27– a battery electric vehicle (EV) and a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) -- under its newly unveiled ADAPT platform, as the automaker expands its product portfolio with locally adapted global architectures.

The two upcoming SUVs, part of the company's four new-model launch plan for this financial year, will measure over 4.3 metres in length. The two cars will be underpinned by the ADAPT (Advance Drive Architecture Platform Technology) platform, which is a multi-new energy vehicle (NEV) architecture derived from parent SAIC Motor's global platform and engineered for Indian market requirements.

"The ADAPT platform will underpin several of our upcoming product launches this year. We are starting with SUVs. It gives us the flexibility to introduce both EVs and plug-in hybrids while responding quickly to changing market demand," Anurag Mehrotra, Managing Director, JSW MG Motor India, said during a media roundtable.

The platform has been designed to support multiple propulsion technologies, including battery electric vehicles (EVs), hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and range-extender electric vehicles (REEVs), enabling the company to build different powertrains on a common architecture.

"Our strategy is centred around giving customers the freedom to choose the technology that best suits their mobility needs. The ADAPT platform allows us to bring both electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids on a common architecture while optimising investments and manufacturing efficiencies," Mehrotra said.

According to the company, one of the platform's key differentiators is its compatibility with both 400V and 800V electrical architectures, allowing support for faster charging technologies in future products. The common architecture is also expected to improve economies of scale by reducing development costs across multiple vehicle programmes.

"Platform development is where the bulk of the capex is spent. By bringing one platform with all four technologies, you reduce your capex requirement by at least half," Mehrotra added.

Localisation and capacity expansion

The ADAPT platform is central to JSW MG Motor's localisation strategy, with the company targeting 70 per cent localisation across its future product portfolio.

The company has already significantly increased localisation levels for the Windsor, while the Comet has reached nearly 60 per cent localisation. Battery packs are assembled at the company's Halol plant, although battery cells continue to be imported.

To support its upcoming product offensive and localisation roadmap, JSW MG Motor plans to invest ₹1,400 crore in FY27, as part of its broader ₹3,000-4,000 crore capital expenditure programme outlined for the next few years.

The investment will be directed towards localisation, new product development, manufacturing capacity expansion and network growth.

The company is also expanding its Halol manufacturing facility in phases. The first phase, expected to be completed by the end of FY27, will increase annual production capacity from 120,000 units to 160,000 units. A second phase, slated to begin in the following fiscal year, will eventually raise installed capacity to around 300,000 units annually.

JSW MG Motor sold 5,861 units in June, up 17 per cent from 4,984 units in May, and expects capacity expansion to support future growth as it broadens its new-energy vehicle lineup.

Commodity inflation, however, remains a near-term challenge, with the company indicating that rising raw material costs could eventually necessitate price increases.