In a major boost for India’s “Make in India” initiative, American tech behemoth Google has announced plans to manufacture its Pixel smartphones in the country. The tech giant has partnered with Taiwanese contract manufacturer Foxconn, known for assembling iPhones in India, to set up production facilities in Tamil Nadu. This news comes alongside confirmation that Dixon Technologies, a domestic manufacturer, will begin producing Pixel 8 smartphones as early as September 2024.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin, as reported by PTI, confirmed the tech giant’s partnership with Foxconn to manufacture ultra-premium Google Pixel smartphones in the state. This initiative marks Google’s first-ever collaboration with Foxconn for smartphone production in India and the production is slated to commence in September.
The partnership with Foxconn leverages their existing infrastructure in Tamil Nadu, a state rapidly emerging as a key electronics manufacturing hub. The Economic Times first reported the news on Wednesday.
While details on Foxconn-produced models remain unclear, Dixon Technologies is confirmed to manufacture the Google Pixel 8, with a potential monthly capacity of 100,000 units. This locally produced Pixel 8 is expected to hit the market by September 2024.
Meanwhile, Google’s foray into local manufacturing aligns with its strategy to capture a larger share of India’s booming premium smartphone market. Currently, Google Pixel devices hold a minuscule market share compared to rivals like Apple and Samsung. This shift towards domestic production is expected to bring several benefits. Firstly, locally manufactured Pixels will be exempt from hefty import duties, making them more price-competitive. Secondly, it will allow Google to cater to the growing demand for premium smartphones within the country. Reports noted this move will also see Google exporting Pixel phones manufactured in India.
Google launched the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro smartphones in October last year. The plain vanilla Pixel 8 starts at Rs 69,999 in India, while the Pro model starts at Rs 1,01,999. Earlier this month, the company also silently introduced a cheaper addition to the Pixel 8 series and launched Google Pixel 8a that starts at Rs 52,999.
