Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin announced that Google Pixel smartphones will soon be manufactured locally in the state at a facility near Chennai. Additionally, the firm will also manufacture drones in Tamil Nadu. This move comes as Alphabet Inc., led by Sundar Pichai, aims to capitalize on the increasing demand for premium smartphones among consumers in India, which is the world’s second-largest smartphone market. The state has already attracted manufacturing units of Samsung and Apple smartphones, and negotiations with Google have resulted in plans to set up a manufacturing plant in Tamil Nadu.
Last year, Google partnered with PC maker HP to manufacture Chromebooks at a Flex facility in Chennai. Alphabet Inc. had previously announced at the ‘Google for India 2023’ event that it would manufacture its Pixel smartphones in India, starting with Pixel 8 and expected to roll out in markets from 2024. Sundar Pichai highlighted the commitment to local manufacturing in India to support the country’s digital growth and the ‘Make in India’ initiative. This development is expected to provide employment opportunities for the youth of Tamil Nadu, particularly those with higher education in the field of information technology.
Chief Minister Stalin aims to establish Tamil Nadu as an advanced manufacturing hub and set the target of making the state a USD 1 trillion economy by 2030. The state has attracted significant investments through participation in investment conferences held in various countries, resulting in the creation of employment opportunities for 30 lakh youths in Tamil Nadu. Tamil Nadu, being India’s largest exporter of electronic goods, accounted for 30% of all electronic goods exports from India in FY24. With the addition of Google’s manufacturing facilities, the state is poised to further strengthen its position as a key player in the electronics manufacturing industry.
The smartphone market in India witnessed significant growth, with 34 million units shipped in the first quarter of 2024, representing an 11.5% year-over-year growth. This growth trend in shipments marks the third consecutive quarter of growth in the smartphone market in India, reflecting the increasing demand for smartphones among consumers. The local manufacturing of Google Pixel smartphones in Tamil Nadu is expected to contribute to meeting this growing demand and further solidify the state’s position as a key player in the smartphone manufacturing industry. The establishment of manufacturing facilities by major tech companies like Google is a testament to Tamil Nadu’s conducive business environment and skilled workforce, positioning the state as an attractive destination for investments in the electronics manufacturing sector.
In conclusion, the decision of Google to manufacture Pixel smartphones locally in Tamil Nadu is a significant development for the state and the country’s electronics manufacturing industry. The move is expected to create employment opportunities, strengthen the state’s economy, and contribute to meeting the growing demand for smartphones in India. With Tamil Nadu’s focus on becoming an advanced manufacturing hub and attracting investments in the electronics sector, the state is well-positioned to capitalize on the opportunities presented by major tech companies looking to establish manufacturing facilities in the region. The collaboration between Google and Tamil Nadu showcases the state’s commitment to fostering innovation, creating a conducive business environment, and driving economic growth through the local manufacturing of cutting-edge technology products.
