Apple has assured the Indian government that it will not slow down its growth in India. The technology giant will invest approximately $2.5 billion to expand iPhone production, doubling its annual production from more than 40 million units to about 60 million, reports The Times of India.
A large chunk of this augmented production will be meant for export, particularly to the United States. People in the know indicated that Apple, which has already started producing the future iPhone 17 in India, has "categorically assured the govt that it does not intend to slow down expansion plans and investments" in the nation.
A government spokesperson informed The Times of India, "Company executives have informed us that there would be no change in plans when it comes to India investments. The expansion plans would go on as planned."
Apple's expansion in India has been aided by its most important manufacturing partners. Taiwanese contract manufacturer Foxconn, together with the Tata Group—which bought Wistron's factories and a majority stake in Pegatron's business—are already undertaking large-scale expansion initiatives.
Officials quoted by TOI added that Apple appreciates India's manufacturing ecosystem, praising the production quality, factory facilities, and overall environment as "among the best in the world."
The expansion is going ahead even as US President Donald Trump opposed iPhone exports from India. Although tariffs at present don't affect smartphones or computers, Trump has expressed disapproval. Speaking in Doha in May, he said, "I had a small problem with Tim Cook. I told him, my friend, I am treating you very well. but I hear now you are constructing all over India. I don't want you to construct in India.
Apple CEO Tim Cook, on the other hand, has taken a different tack. In the wake of the company's quarterly earnings call on 31 July, he pointed out that the "vast majority" of iPhones sold in the US last quarter were made in India. China, formerly the main base for iPhone manufacturing, now primarily covers markets outside the US.
India itself is proving to be a robust market. Apple shipped $17 billion worth of iPhones out of India in the last year while also taking a double-digit bite out of the local market. During the same earnings call, Cook highlighted that Indian revenues are growing at record levels with high iPhone demand driving them.
In addition to manufacturing, Apple is growing its retail presence. On 2 September, the firm opened a store at Phoenix Mall of Asia in Bengaluru's Hebbal neighborhood. Another store is opening on 4 September at 1 pm in Pune's Koregaon Park.
Both stores have peacock-feather design-based art, a design that has already been used in Apple's stores in Mumbai and Delhi. The Pune store will stock the entire range of Apple products and have "Today at Apple" sessions that include photography, music, art, and coding. Consumers will get to interact with specialists, creative trainers, technical support specialists, and business teams, similar to the experience offered by Apple's BKC and Saket stores.
Apple's initial two Indian outlets in Mumbai and Delhi had opened in April 2023, raking in an estimated Rs 800 crore in their maiden year. Adding Bengaluru and Pune, the count now stands at four stores. Apple intends to launch two more in Mumbai and Noida towards the end of this year, taking the Indian store count to six by 2025.
While Cook and senior vice president Deirdre O'Brien joined the previous launches in Mumbai and Delhi, Cook won't be able to make it to Pune because of the upcoming iPhone launch. Instead, other Apple executives will make appearances for him.
Prior to Pune opening, customers can download special wallpapers and Apple Music playlists curated and inspired by the city's culture through Apple's official website.
Read also| Apple to Launch Fourth India Store with Grand Opening in Pune on September 4
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