Valeo has inaugurated an electric powertrain line at its Pune facility that will supply integrated 3-in-1 e-axles for Mahindra & Mahindra's upcoming Born Electric SUVs — a localisation move that pairs a Tier 1 French supplier's India growth plan with an OEM's need for domestic EV powertrain supply.

The line will build Valeo's 3-in-1 e-axle, which combines the motor, inverter and transmission in a single compact unit. Valeo says the system was developed and manufactured in India, with efficiency, performance and packaging gains claimed for the application.

For Mahindra, the line secures a domestic source of a critical powertrain component for its next-generation electric SUVs. For Valeo, it extends the company's Indian manufacturing footprint into high-value electrified components rather than conventional parts.

Executives framed the launch as part of broader localisation across the EV supply chain. "Local production strengthens our ability to support customers with advanced technologies," said Xavier Dupont, CEO of Valeo's power division. Jayakumar G, President of Valeo India, said the new line brings advanced manufacturing closer to customers and reflects Valeo's long-term commitment to the Indian market.

The commercial logic is straightforward. Automakers in India are pushing to localise key EV components to control costs and reduce supply chain exposure, and e-powertrain localisation is expected to matter directly for scaling volumes on Mahindra's Born Electric platform.

The numbers behind the line

The Pune investment sits inside Valeo's global 'Elevate 2028' roadmap. Under that plan, the company intends to invest more than €200 million in India over the next three years and grow local revenues from roughly €220 million today to around €700 million by 2028 — a better-than-threefold increase that makes India one of the group's fastest-planned expansion markets.

Valeo positions the Pune e-axle line as central to that strategy. The company sees India not only as a manufacturing base but also as a hub for developing and supplying next-generation mobility technologies, reinforcing the country's role as a growth market for electrification in Valeo's global plans.

What to watch

Three markers will show whether the strategy is tracking. First, the launch timing of Mahindra's Born Electric vehicles, which will determine how quickly the Pune line ramps. Second, whether Valeo's India revenue trajectory over the next 12–18 months supports the €700 million target for 2028. Third, further announcements under the €200 million investment envelope — additional lines, expanded capacity or new programs — that would confirm the roadmap is moving from intention to committed capacity.