Parth Jindal, Director of MG Motor India and JSW Steel Group scion, announced ambitious plans for the conglomerate's automotive debut during his appearance at Davos on January 20. Speaking to CNBC-TV18's Managing Editor Shereen Bhan, Jindal confirmed that JSW's first car will launch in India just before Diwali this year.

Automotive Manufacturing Timeline

The automotive venture is taking shape with significant infrastructure development in Shambhaji Nagar. Jindal provided specific timelines for the manufacturing setup:

"The factory construction in Shambhaji Nagar is well underway," Jindal stated, outlining the phased approach to production.

Product Strategy and Localization

The debut vehicle will be a plug-in hybrid muscle car, strategically positioned to establish the JSW brand in the automotive market. Jindal emphasized the company's commitment to localization, with the first car achieving 80% local content.

"We are in advanced discussions to localise the cell technology as well, with the goal of being a 100% local producer in India with global technology partnerships," Jindal explained.

Pricing and Market Positioning

JSW aims to compete in the premium segment with a clear pricing strategy:

"We aim to play in the ₹15–30 lakh price range. The first car will be slightly higher priced to establish the technology and powertrain," Jindal noted.

Paints Business Expansion

Following the recent acquisition of AkzoNobel India, JSW has become the fourth largest player in India's paint market. Jindal outlined the integration strategy:

"Dulux is strong in the premium segment, while JSW is strong in the mass segment. By combining, we can increase market share and improve margins," Jindal explained.

Cement Business Growth

The cement division showed resilience with recent performance improvements. Jindal reported that after slow demand until November due to weather conditions, December witnessed an uptick to around 8-9% year-on-year growth, with January continuing the strong momentum.

"By combining our cement, steel, and power operations, we can optimise raw material usage and logistics, which helps in keeping costs competitive and improving overall performance," Jindal concluded, highlighting the group's integrated approach to operations.

JSW Steel has reported strong production performance for the first nine months of FY26, demonstrating significant growth in its manufacturing operations across multiple facilities. The company's cumulative production reached 22.65 million tons during this period, marking substantial operational progress.

Production Performance Overview

The steel manufacturer achieved notable year-over-year growth in production volumes during the nine-month period. The company's total output increased by 12% compared to the corresponding period in the previous fiscal year, indicating robust operational efficiency and capacity utilization.

International Operations Contribution

JSW Steel's international expansion efforts are reflected in the production contribution from its overseas facilities. The JSW Steel USA facility located in Ohio contributed 0.20 million tons to the company's overall production volume during the reporting period. This contribution represents the company's growing international footprint and diversification of manufacturing operations beyond domestic facilities.

Operational Expansion

The production growth demonstrates JSW Steel's ability to scale its operations effectively across different geographical locations. The company's manufacturing capabilities span both domestic and international markets, with the Ohio facility representing a key component of its global production strategy. The consistent production output from the US facility indicates successful operational integration and management of international assets.

The 12% year-over-year increase in cumulative production for the first nine months of FY26 reflects the company's commitment to expanding its manufacturing capacity and meeting growing market demand. This performance positions JSW Steel as a significant player in the global steel manufacturing sector, with diversified production capabilities across multiple regions.