Four sources with knowledge of the situation told Reuters that Tata Motors intends to license an automaking platform from China's Chery in an effort to resume production of its delayed luxury EVs.
Chinese automakers are still mainly excluded from the third-largest auto market in the world, but local manufacturers are depending on their technology to remain competitive in the global EV race, making it difficult to avoid them.
According to three of the persons, Tata, the largest electric vehicle manufacturer in India, will use Chery's platform to locally produce EVs under its high-end Avinya brand. At least two vehicles are planned, the first of which will be introduced in 2027.

Tata's initial proposal to adopt Jaguar Land Rover's electrified modular architecture (EMA) for Avinya vehicles scheduled for 2025 has changed. As previously reported by Reuters, that roadmap fell apart last year when JLR abandoned ambitions to produce EMA-based EVs in India, forcing Tata to start over.
According to the sources, Chery's platform arrangement is anticipated to compensate for the lost time by giving Tata access to cutting-edge features and technologies that would otherwise require more time and money to build.
According to two of the persons, the first Avinya model on Chery's platform is scheduled for release in 2027 and will be assembled in India after being shipped as a kit from China. Localised component sourcing is already in progress.According to a statement from Tata, the cars would be constructed at its recently opened facility in Tamil Nadu, southern India, using the Freelander platform created in a joint venture between Chery and JLR in China.In an email to Reuters, the business stated, "Avinya is being developed as a global premium brand... to be built on multiple, scalable platforms and architectures while being anchored in Tata Motors' design, engineering, and integration capabilities."As we grow the Avinya range across segments and geographies, our partnership with JLR and its partners will be a key pillar of our worldwide premium EV journey," it continued.

In a statement, Chery told Reuters that its partnership with Tata expands on the achievements of its partnership with JLR.Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles will use Chery as a supplier. According to the Chinese automaker, "each project operates under a separate agreement with standard commercial terms."
Under its revived Freelander brand, JLR has enlisted Chery, a long-time partner, to develop and manufacture electrified vehicles, including EVs and hybrids. The automobiles will be manufactured in the Chinese company's Changshu factory using its architecture as a model.

According to one of the persons, the agreement with Chery is a "stop-gap arrangement" because, in the absence of new products, Tata runs the risk of losing its EV lead. The business still plans to eventually develop its own specialised platform. Since they are not permitted to speak to the media, all of the individuals declined to be identified.
Indian Businesses Depend on Chinese Technology
14% of Tata's total sales are electric vehicles, and by 2030, that percentage is expected to more than double to 30%. However, competitors JSW MG Motor and Mahindra & Mahindra are getting closer to its dominance, revealing weaknesses in its EV lineup and increasing the possibility of additional market share losses.

A wider change in India's automotive sector is reflected in the transaction negotiations. Due to political sensitivities, Indian automakers are importing more EV technology from China while avoiding deeper ownership relationships. Since 2020, New Delhi has imposed stringent restrictions on foreign investment, mostly aimed at China, thereby halting widespread involvement in the automotive sector.
Carmakers still face significant obstacles, even though regulations have somewhat loosened in industries like electronics.
A comparable platform license agreement exists between Chery and JSW Motor, the independent automobile company owned by steel-to-cement tycoon Sajjan Jindal.
Indian automakers have spent more on research and development of new technologies and powertrains in recent years, but like many of their international competitors, they are unable to match China's EV speed, cost, and technological competence.

China's biggest automobile exporter, Chery, has quickly increased its global presence.
The Chinese automaker has explored joint manufacturing agreements with international businesses in important areas, including as Europe, Southeast Asia, and Latin America, drawing inspiration from Toyota and Tesla.