"Neolite ZKW Lightings expands its footprint with a ₹150 crore facility in Chennai."

Neolite ZKW Lightings Ltd, a manufacturer and global supplier of automotive lighting products and components to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) across vehicle categories, is planning to set up a new manufacturing plant in Chennai with an investment of ₹150 crore. The facility is expected to commence production in 2028, a top company executive said.

The proposed Chennai plant will be the company’s fourth manufacturing unit in India. Neolite ZKW recently began operations at its Pune facility last month, marking its third plant in the country. The company has already acquired land for the Chennai project, according to Rajesh Jain, Chairman and Managing Director, Neolite ZKW Lightings Ltd.

“The demand for automotive lighting is growing in line with the rise in automobile sales in India, and we expect this momentum to continue for the next 10 years,” Mr. Jain said.

On Friday (January 23, 2026), the company organised a commemorative ceremony for its Pune manufacturing facility. The event was attended by Won Yong Hwang, Chief Executive Officer of ZKW Group GmbH, a subsidiary of Korean major LG Electronics.

Neolite ZKW has also set up an independent design centre equipped with advanced design tools and simulation software, including 3D modelling, optical design, prototyping, and validation capabilities. The centre is aimed at strengthening the company’s in-house product development, reducing time-to-market, and ensuring compliance with global performance and regulatory standards.

Commenting on the expansion, Mr. Hwang said India continues to emerge as a strategic market for the global automotive industry. “Neolite ZKW’s expansion in Pune is a positive step toward advancing next-generation automotive lighting solutions, and we look forward to continued collaboration in technology and innovation,” he said.

Mr. Jain said the Pune facility would help the company respond more quickly to customer requirements, drive innovation, and create employment opportunities in the region. “After this, our next focus will be to get our Kancheepuram facility in Tamil Nadu up and running, and we are working very hard to get that done,” he added.

Rajesh Soni, CEO of Neolite ZKW, said the Pune plant is designed to manufacture automotive lighting products and components, including moulding, surface treatment, and assembly. “In line with the shift toward electrification and sustainability, we also offer electric vehicle-focused lighting products. At the same time, our portfolio is powertrain-agnostic, serving both electric vehicles and internal combustion engine vehicles,” he said.

The company has invested ₹70 crore in the first phase of the Pune plant, which has an installed capacity of 2.8 million units per year. Plans are underway for a second phase with a similar capacity expansion.

Neolite ZKW is also planning an initial public offering (IPO) of around ₹600 crore, comprising a mix of fresh issue and offer for sale, with an expected equity dilution of about 25%.