MAHLE has started production of e-compressors in India with the opening of a new manufacturing line at its Coimbatore facility. The company has invested €7 million in the project, making MAHLE the first company to establish an e-compressor production facility in the country.
The Coimbatore location was selected because of its strong manufacturing base, skilled workforce and MAHLE’s existing operational capabilities in the region. The new facility is designed to meet international manufacturing and quality standards and will support both Indian and global customers. At full capacity, the production line will be able to manufacture more than 300,000 e-compressors annually. The project is expected to create around 50 new jobs and strengthen MAHLE’s contribution to local manufacturing.
E-compressors are an important part of thermal management systems in electric vehicles. They help control temperatures within the vehicle and battery system, supporting battery life, faster charging and driving range. As electric vehicle adoption increases, demand for efficient thermal management technologies is also growing.
With the new production line, MAHLE is expanding its electrification portfolio in India. Its Coimbatore plant already manufactures starter motors, alternators, traction motors and controllers for two-wheelers and three-wheelers. MAHLE also established a research and development facility in India in 2023. The centre focuses on developing local expertise in product validation and further strengthens the company’s engineering and manufacturing capabilities.
The company has also set an ambitious workforce target for the Coimbatore facility. It aims to have women account for 75% of the plant workforce by 2027, supporting greater workforce participation and creating new employment opportunities in the region.
“India continues to play an increasingly important role in the global mobility transformation. This facility strengthens our presence in one of the world’s most dynamic automotive markets and reinforces our commitment to sustainable mobility solutions,” said Ivan Lenehan, Vice President, MAHLE Powertrain and Charging, India, China & East Asia. Milind Mhaiskar, Managing Director, MAHLE Electric Drives India, said the new facility reflects the company’s focus on localization and customer-focused innovation. He also credited MAHLE’s teams and business partners for supporting the project.
MAHLE entered the Indian market in 1958 through a joint venture for piston manufacturing. Since 1997, it has expanded into areas including valvetrain components, filtration, engine peripherals, thermal management, electronics and mechatronics. Today, MAHLE operates across 15 locations in India and employs around 5,900 people, serving almost every major automotive manufacturer in the country. The new e-compressor production line further strengthens MAHLE’s role in India’s growing electric mobility and automotive manufacturing ecosystem.
