New Delhi: Global automotive technology company FORVIA has announced a major expansion of its operations in India with plans to establish its 10th manufacturing facility in the country and its first dedicated complete seat assembly plant after securing a significant seating program from an automotive customer.
The new facility, scheduled to begin production in 2027, will manufacture complete seating systems, including seat structures, mechanisms, foam, covers and final assembly for both first- and second-row seats. The investment marks a key milestone in FORVIA’s strategy to strengthen its industrial presence and localization in one of the world’s fastest-growing automotive markets.
The company said the plant will introduce its proprietary Cover Carving Technology, a polyurethane-based solution designed to optimize seat geometry, improve rear passenger comfort and enhance overall seat quality while meeting vehicle packaging requirements.
FORVIA Chief Executive Officer Martin Fischer said India has emerged as one of the world’s most dynamic automotive markets and has become a strategic pillar of the company’s global growth plans.
“Beyond this new seating investment, we continue to expand our industrial footprint, strengthen localization, invest in advanced technologies and develop world-class engineering and AI capabilities across the country,” he said.
FORVIA Seating Business Group Executive Vice President Sébastien Limousin said the new plant reinforces the company’s commitment to expanding complete seat system capabilities in India with locally developed and manufactured solutions.
He noted that the Indian automotive seating market is expected to reach around €4 billion by 2030, making it a key growth opportunity for the company.
The expansion forms part of FORVIA’s IGNITE strategic plan unveiled earlier this year, under which the company is accelerating investments in high-growth markets while strengthening its leadership in advanced mobility technologies.
With the addition of the new facility, FORVIA will operate 10 manufacturing plants across India, including sites in Mehsana, Pune, Ammavaruppali, Bengaluru, Chennai, Derabassi, Gurugram/Dankhot and Manesar.
The company said it has secured multiple business awards from domestic and global vehicle manufacturers this year across its Seating, Electronics and Clean Mobility businesses, further strengthening its position in the passenger vehicle and two-wheeler segments.
FORVIA also highlighted its long-standing partnership with the Anand Group through its Clean Mobility joint venture, which continues to support the company’s localization strategy in India.
India has also emerged as a major engineering and innovation hub for FORVIA, with more than 2,400 engineers and technical experts working across Seating, Interiors, Clean Mobility, Electronics and Lighting businesses.
According to the company, its India operations have filed 61 patent applications and secured 30 patents. Engineering teams are developing next-generation technologies such as zonal controllers, smartphone-based vehicle access systems, electrification solutions and radar-based rider assistance systems for two- and three-wheelers.
FORVIA HELLA India has also been designated as the company’s Global AI Center of Competence, focusing on artificial intelligence applications for engineering, manufacturing and automotive technologies, including child presence detection, adaptive lighting, radar intelligence and predictive anomaly detection.
