Devendra Fadnavis Envisions Maharashtra as a Global Hub for Electric Vehicles and Future Mobility

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis unveiled Mercedes-Benz's state-of-the-art electric GLC vehicle at the company's manufacturing facility in Chakan, Pune, marking a significant milestone in the state's journey towards becoming a global hub for electric vehicle manufacturing and future mobility technologies.

Building Maharashtra’s Future Mobility Revolution! Delighted to witness the rollout of the Mercedes-Benz electric GLC car in Pune today! Returning to the Mercedes-Benz plant in Chakan, a decade after inaugurating its 2015 expansion, is a special moment. What began as a vision to make Maharashtra a trusted global manufacturing destination has evolved into a remarkable journey of industrial growth and technological advancement. Maharashtra has built one of India's strongest automotive ecosystems. The ambition now goes beyond manufacturing automobiles to becoming a global hub for future mobility, electric vehicles, battery technology, semiconductors, automotive AI, advanced electronics and research. Our EV policy targets 30% electric vehicle registrations by 2030, with a focus on expanding charging infrastructure, promoting battery recycling and building a complete EV ecosystem spanning manufacturing, software development and research in Maharashtra. Under the visionary leadership of Hon PM Narendra Modi Ji, India is moving beyond adopting global technologies to developing and manufacturing them. Maharashtra is at the forefront of this transformation. The goal is to take Maharashtra from a manufacturing powerhouse to a global innovation hub and from an automotive leader to a world leader in future mobility, taking the best of Chakan to the world. DCM Sunetratai Pawar, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, Dr Martin Brudermüller, Chairman of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, Ola Källenius, Chief Technology Officer of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, Jörg Burzer, MD & CEO of Mercedes-Benz India Pvt. Ltd., Santosh Iyer, MD & CEO of Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India, Manu Saale and other dignitaries were present. @narendramodi @SunetraA_Pawar @santiyer @mercedesbenz @MercedesBenzInd #Maharashtra #Pune #ElectricGLC

— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) November 4, 2026

The event was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Ajit Pawar, Dr. Martin Brudermüller, Chairman of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, Dr. Ola Källenius, Chairman of the Board of Management and Global Head of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, Dr. Jörg Burzer, Member of the Board of Management and Chief Technology Officer, Santosh Iyer, Executive Director of Mercedes-Benz India, along with senior company executives from India and abroad and senior government officials.

LIVE | Inauguration of the manufacturing roll-out of the Mercedes-Benz GLC Electric Car 🕒 3pm | 4-11-2026📍Pune. @mercedesbenz @MercedesBenzInd #Maharashtra #Pune #ElectricVehicles #ElectricGLC https://t.co/Sc1OIEPF78

— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) November 4, 2026

The Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad region has emerged as a major automobile industry cluster, with Maharashtra accounting for more than 20 per cent of India's total motor vehicle production. The state now aims to strengthen its global position in electric vehicles, battery technology, power electronics, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, automotive software, vehicle design and research and development.

Fadnavis urged Mercedes-Benz to utilise its Chakan facility not only to manufacture vehicles for the Indian market but also to serve Asian and international markets. He also called upon the company to prioritise Maharashtra for future investments in battery technologies, software engineering and mobility research.

The Mercedes-Benz Chakan facility currently provides direct employment to approximately 1,200 people, while its suppliers and associated service sectors support around 18,000 employment opportunities. According to the Chief Minister, the commencement of production of the advanced electric GLC within just ten years of the facility's expansion demonstrates Maharashtra's growing industrial and technological capabilities.

Mercedes-Benz has been a significant contributor to Maharashtra's industrial development for nearly three decades. The beginning of local electric vehicle production represents another important milestone in this long-standing partnership. Combining electric mobility, artificial intelligence and environmentally sustainable manufacturing technologies, the project also reinforces Pune's readiness to embrace the next generation of transportation.

Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Ajit Pawar highlighted the importance of the development, stating that the vision of late Ajit Pawar to empower Maharashtra in the future mobility sector through a world-class electric vehicle industry and advanced technologies in Pune district was now taking shape.

The unveiling of the electric GLC underscores Maharashtra's ambition to move beyond conventional automobile manufacturing and establish itself as a global destination for next-generation automotive innovation, sustainable mobility and advanced industrial technologies.