Webasto Group is planning a new production plant in India as part of its strategic realignment for 2026, signalling a deeper shift toward positioning India as a key manufacturing and development base for the company. The move comes as the automotive supplier restructures its global operations and positions its production footprint closer to its customers.
The company’s chief executive, Jörg Buchheim, said in December 2025 that Webasto would commit to a new manufacturing investment in India. The proposed plant would add to the company’s existing footprint and reflects a sharper focus on regionalised production and development, aligned with demand from local vehicle manufacturers.
“It’s my personal goal to have the key organizational and strategic changes in place within the next year. That includes: the realignment of our Roof Systems business with focus on consistent regionalization, expanding our development presence in the US and China to better serve the different demands in the various regions of the world, investing in a new production plant in India,” states Jörg Buchheim, CEO, Webasto Group.
Webasto currently operates two main facilities in India. Pune, Maharashtra, serves as the company’s primary hub, housing manufacturing operations alongside a research and testing centre that supports programmes for customers such as Mahindra and Tata Motors. Chennai, Tamil Nadu, focuses on supplying automotive manufacturers in southern India, including Hyundai and Kia. The Indian operations manufacture sunroofs, panoramic roofs and fixed glass roof systems for passenger vehicles.
“At Webasto India, our growth story is built on a foundation of innovation, customer-centricity, and a robust production footprint closer to our customers. We continuously invest in advanced technologies to deliver world-class solutions that meet the evolving needs of our customers. Our commitment is to create value through quality, reliability, and sustainable practices—ensuring that every roof we produce reflects excellence and trust,” said Dr. Vikas Prasad, President, Webasto Roof India.
The planned investment follows recent capacity additions in the country. In 2023, Webasto opened a production facility in Chennai to manufacture panoramic roof systems, while in 2022 it commissioned a large manufacturing plant and testing centre in Pune to serve customers in western India. The new plant will support rising demand for sunroofs and advanced roof systems in India, particularly in the sport utility vehicle segment, which continues to grow faster than mature markets in Europe. The new facility is expected to come up in the north of India.
“Across the APAC region, Webasto is committed to driving growth through innovation and operational excellence. Our strong production footprint and advanced technologies enable us to serve customers with solutions tailored to local needs while maintaining global standards. We believe in creating long-term value by combining engineering expertise, sustainability, and customer-centricity—making Webasto a trusted partner in mobility across Asia-Pacific,” said Peter Willemsen, Executive Vice President, APAC, Webasto Group.
In March 2025, Webasto launched its “Infinity Roof” system in India, incorporating advanced ambient lighting features, for Mahindra’s Electric Origin sport utility vehicles, BE 6 and XEV 9e. The launch highlighted the company’s ability to introduce high-technology products directly from its Indian operations, rather than relying solely on designs developed in Europe.
The increased emphasis on India comes as Webasto works through a period of financial restructuring. By late 2024 and into 2025, the group faced a liquidity crisis driven by high debt levels, weaker automotive demand in Europe and the United States, and slower-than-expected electric vehicle adoption. The company also incurred losses from its charging solutions business, which included wallboxes and charging cables.
In October 2025, Webasto secured a financing package totalling EUR 1.4 billion through an agreement with a consortium of banks, extending EUR 1.2 billion in existing credit lines and adding EUR 200 million in new loans. As part of the agreement, the founding Baier family transferred a significant portion of its shares to a trustee, granting voting rights to the trustee while retaining economic ownership.
As part of its restructuring, Webasto sold a majority stake in its charging solutions business to Transom Capital Group in early 2024. The company has also dismantled its centralised “Global Roof” business structure, shifting greater decision-making authority to regional units, including India and the Asia-Pacific region, to improve responsiveness to local market conditions.
Webasto Group is a Germany-headquartered automotive supplier specialising in roof systems and vehicle electrification technologies, with manufacturing and development operations across Europe, Asia and the Americas.
