FORVIA Expands India Manufacturing Footprint with New Seating Plant!

FORVIA has announced plans to strengthen its manufacturing presence in India with the establishment of a new seating production facility, reinforcing its long-term commitment to localisation, advanced manufacturing, and innovation in one of the world’s fastest-growing automotive markets. The new plant, which is scheduled to begin operations in 2027, will become the company’s tenth manufacturing facility in India and its first dedicated to the production of complete automotive seating systems. The expansion follows strong growth in India’s automotive industry, which recorded nearly 22 per cent year-on-year growth and achieved a record 2.6 million vehicle sales during the first half of 2026.

The new manufacturing facility represents another milestone in FORVIA’s global IGNITE strategy, introduced to accelerate growth in high-potential markets. The plant will manufacture complete seating systems, including seat structures, mechanisms, foam, seat covers, and final assembly for both first- and second-row seating. By bringing these capabilities together under one roof, the company aims to deliver fully integrated seating solutions that are designed, engineered, and manufactured locally, supporting the increasing demand for advanced automotive technologies in India.

A key feature of the new facility will be the introduction of FORVIA’s proprietary Cover Carving Technology. This innovative polyurethane-based solution is designed to optimise rear passenger space while enhancing seating comfort and delivering a cleaner, more refined seat finish. The technology reflects the company’s focus on combining advanced engineering with improved passenger experience, helping vehicle manufacturers meet evolving customer expectations for comfort, quality, and design.

Commenting on the expansion, Martin Fischer, Chief Executive Officer of FORVIA, said India has become one of the most dynamic automotive markets globally and remains a strategic pillar of the company’s long-term growth ambitions. He noted that, in addition to the new seating investment, FORVIA continues to expand its industrial footprint across the country by strengthening localisation, investing in advanced manufacturing technologies, and developing world-class engineering and artificial intelligence capabilities to support the future of mobility.

India occupies a central position within FORVIA’s IGNITE strategy, launched in February 2026, as the company continues to expand its presence in rapidly growing automotive markets. With the addition of the new seating facility, FORVIA will operate ten manufacturing plants across key industrial locations, including Mehsana, Pune, Ammavaruppali, Bengaluru, Chennai, Derabassi, Gurugram/Dankhot, and Manesar. The company’s expanding manufacturing network is expected to improve supply chain efficiency while supporting local vehicle production through increased localisation of components and systems.

FORVIA has also secured several new business programmes from leading domestic and global automotive manufacturers across its Seating, Electronics, and Clean Mobility divisions. In addition, its long-standing joint venture with Anand Group continues to play an important role in strengthening local manufacturing capabilities and supporting the growth of India’s automotive supply chain through collaborative innovation and industrial development.

Sébastien Limousin, Executive Vice President of FORVIA Seating Business Group, said the new facility further strengthens the company’s position in India, where the automotive seating market is expected to reach approximately €4 billion by 2030. He explained that the investment demonstrates FORVIA’s commitment to expanding complete seat system manufacturing capabilities in India while delivering locally developed solutions and introducing advanced seating technologies to one of the world’s fastest-growing automotive markets.

Beyond manufacturing, FORVIA continues to establish India as a key global engineering and innovation hub. More than 2,400 engineers and technical specialists currently support the company’s Seating, Interiors, Electronics, Lighting, and Clean Mobility businesses from engineering centres across the country. The company has filed 61 patent applications in India and has already secured 30 patents, highlighting its growing contribution to research and technological development.

FORVIA’s engineering teams are actively developing next-generation automotive technologies, including zonal electronic controllers, smartphone-based vehicle access systems, electrification solutions, and advanced rider assistance technologies. The company has also established FORVIA HELLA India as a Global AI Centre of Competence, where engineers are developing artificial intelligence applications for engineering, manufacturing, and mobility. These include AI-enabled child presence detection systems, adaptive lighting technologies, radar intelligence, and predictive anomaly detection solutions, further reinforcing India’s growing role in FORVIA’s global innovation strategy.