Qualcomm to Localize Automotive Module Production in India

• Qualcomm is localizing automotive module production in India
• Partners with top OEMs for advanced automotive chipsets
• Aims to double automotive revenue to $8B by 2029 via India’s EV market

US chipmaker Qualcomm is looking to localize production of automotive modules in India to improve domestic supply chains and allow partners to move manufacturing into the country.

Nakul Duggal, Group GM, Automotive, Industrial and Embedded IoT, Qualcomm Technologies, said the company is working to move production of modules previously manufactured in Taiwan, China, or Korea to India. "As our Tier 1 partners move their manufacturing here, we have been supporting them", he added.

Qualcomm is a fabless company, so it designs chips and fabricates them. Duggal mentioned that the vision is to generate opportunities in the supply chain to support local manufacturing. Qualcomm also has around 60% of its global employees in India and has around 22,000 employees there, providing good engineering support to local automakers.

Also Read: India Emerges Top Smartphone Supplier to US; Electronics Rs 12 L Cr

Qualcomm is collaborating with leading OEMs including Tata Motors, Mahindra, Maruti Suzuki, and Hyundai to provide chipsets for advanced telematics, infotainment, and driver assistance systems, including ADAS. Its first Snapdragon Cockpit Elite and Snapdragon Ride Elite SoCs made their debut in 2024 and were showcased in about a dozen vehicles by 2026.

Duggal stated, "There’s a huge need for products built for the local customer. That requires OEMs to have engineering and creative capability—and we’re seeing that happen".

He stressed creating products for conditions in India instead of using global product designs. Automotive represents about 10% of Qualcomm's total revenue at roughly ($3.6 - $3.8 billion) and is looking to rise to double that amount ($8 billion) by 2029.

By localizing production, Qualcomm wants to be a prime technology partner as India develops its fast-expanding EV and connected-car market.