India’s luxury car market is entering a new phase in 2026. The iconic Range Rover — known worldwide as the king of luxury SUVs — is now being manufactured in India. This move is not just about cars, but about India’s growing power in premium automobile manufacturing under the Make in India vision.
In this article, we explain what has happened, why the ‘Made in India’ Range Rover matters in 2026, its expected impact on pricing and buyers, and what comes next for India’s luxury car industry.
What Happened in 2026?
In February 2026, Tata Motors and Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) officially started operations at a new manufacturing plant in Panapakkam, Tamil Nadu. The first locally assembled Range Rover model rolled out from this new facility, marking India’s entry into JLR’s global manufacturing network alongside the UK, China, and Brazil.
The project involves a planned investment of around ₹9,000 crore and will be developed in multiple phases. Once completed, the facility is expected to produce between 2.5 lakh to 3 lakh vehicles annually over the next few years.
This is a major milestone because earlier, most full-size Range Rover models were imported as completely built units (CBUs), making them extremely expensive in India.
What Does ‘Made in India’ Range Rover Mean?
The new development means some Range Rover models are now locally assembled within India instead of being fully imported from the UK.
Local production helps in:
- Reducing import duties
- Improving supply availability
- Cutting overall ownership cost
- Supporting Indian auto component suppliers
Earlier, imported Range Rover models came with very high taxes, which pushed prices above ₹2.31 crore to ₹4.25 crore (ex-showroom).
With local manufacturing, the price gap between imported luxury SUVs and Indian buyers is expected to reduce in coming years.
In fact, locally manufactured versions like the Range Rover Sport already saw price drops of up to ₹25 lakh compared to earlier imported units.
Why This Move Matters for India
India has mostly been a consumption market for luxury cars. But now, it is becoming a production hub for premium global brands.
The Tamil Nadu facility will:
- Create around 5,000 direct and indirect jobs
- Build a stronger local supplier network
- Reduce dependence on imports
- Support India’s premium automobile ecosystem
This will also improve India’s position in the fast-growing luxury SUV segment, where demand is increasing among high-net-worth buyers and business leaders.
Impact on Indian Buyers in 2026
For Indian customers, the biggest benefit is likely to be improved pricing and shorter waiting periods.
Luxury SUV buyers in cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru and even growing Tier-2 markets are now showing more interest in premium SUVs. With local production:
- Delivery time may reduce
- Customisation options may improve
- Prices may become more competitive in future
Even though the starting price of a Range Rover in India currently begins from around ₹2.36 crore (ex-showroom), local assembly could gradually make ownership slightly more accessible over time.
Background: Earlier Price Cuts and India-Focused Models
This is not the first India-specific step taken by JLR. In 2025, Range Rover introduced the ultra-exclusive SV Masara Edition priced at ₹4.99 crore specially for Indian buyers.
Read More : Land Rover Defender 130 8 Seater Launched in India
Additionally, GST reforms in 2025 led to price cuts of up to ₹30.4 lakh on some Range Rover models in India.
These moves show a clear long-term focus on expanding the luxury segment in the Indian market.
What Happens Next?
The new Ranipet facility will continue to expand in phases over the next four years. More Range Rover models and possibly electric or hybrid versions could be introduced through local production in the future.
Experts believe this step could encourage more global luxury car brands to manufacture high-end vehicles in India instead of relying on imports.
FAQs
Is Range Rover now made in India?
Yes, some Range Rover models are now locally assembled in India at the new Tamil Nadu manufacturing plant.
Will the Made in India Range Rover be cheaper?
Local manufacturing reduces import duties, so prices may become more competitive compared to fully imported models.
Where is the new Range Rover plant located?
The new plant is located in Panapakkam, Ranipet district of Tamil Nadu.
What is the starting price of Range Rover in India?
The current starting price is around ₹2.31 crore to ₹2.36 crore (ex-showroom), depending on the variant.
Will India export Range Rover cars in future?
The plant is expected to become part of JLR’s global production network, which may support exports in the long term.
