Google and Foxconn to Set Up Pixel Manufacturing Plant in Tamil Nadu

Alphabet Inc.-owned Google has announced a partnership with Taiwan’s Foxconn Technology Group to establish a manufacturing plant in Tamil Nadu for Pixel smartphones. The collaboration marks a significant step in Google’s expansion of its device production in India.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin revealed on Thursday that this development is the result of successful negotiations between the state government and Google’s management. He confirmed that Google officials would soon visit Chennai to finalize the project details.

"This initiative opens up a promising opportunity to establish a Google Pixel manufacturing factory near Chennai," said Chief Minister Stalin in a statement. "This will create employment opportunities for youth with qualifications in information technology."

The Tamil Nadu government, led by Minister for Industries TRB Rajaa, recently met with senior Google executives in the US to promote the state as a favorable manufacturing location.

Last year, Google announced its intention to start producing its Pixel 8 smartphones in India. This move is part of Google’s broader strategy to accelerate device manufacturing in the country, following in the footsteps of Apple and Samsung, both of which have already established production lines in India.

Over the past decade, mobile phone manufacturing in India has grown 21-fold in value, reaching ₹4.1 lakh crore. This growth has been largely driven by government policies such as the performance-linked incentive (PLI) schemes, which have successfully attracted global manufacturers to boost local production.

According to the India Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA), Apple and Samsung have been pivotal in enhancing mobile phone exports from India. The country now produces 97 percent of its total mobile phone demand locally, with 30 percent of the total production in the financial year 2024 intended for export.