Apple Expands Manufacturing in India: AirPods Production Begins
This operation is expected to be similar in size to Apple’s iPhone manufacturing in India and will mainly focus on exporting products worldwide.
After successfully moving a lot of iPhone production to India, Apple will produce AirPods at two locations.
Apple is planning to make AirPods in India, which is a big step in its goal to turn India into a major manufacturing place outside of China.
After successfully moving a lot of iPhone production to India, Apple will produce AirPods at two locations.
The casings will be made at Jabil's factory in Pune, and the final assembly will happen at a new Foxconn factory in Telangana.
This operation is expected to be similar in size to Apple’s iPhone manufacturing in India and will mainly focus on exporting products worldwide.
This expansion is happening without the usual incentives because there isn’t a production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme for wireless headphones like AirPods.
Still, Apple is committed to India, driven by the success of its iPhone production.
In FY24, Apple exported an estimated $14 billion worth of iPhones from India, which accounts for 14 percent of its global iPhone output.
The production of AirPods is anticipated to start next year, with plans to quickly ramp up output to billions of dollars in exports.
While Apple intends to make AirPods available for sale in India, the primary focus will be on international markets.
This new move makes India a second major place for Apple to make its products, after China.
The Indian government supports Apple because its high-end products help boost exports.
Having important Apple suppliers in India will also strengthen the country’s role in the global tech industry.
Even with tensions between India and China, the Indian government is letting Chinese suppliers set up their operations in India.
However, while AirPods will soon be made in India, MacBooks are not expected to be assembled here anytime soon.
Although the Indian government encourages laptop makers to ‘Make in India,’ Apple is cautious about making its premium laptops in the country.
The number of MacBooks sold is still small, and there is enough production worldwide.
Opening new factories in India could lead to too many laptops being made. So, it will take more time before MacBooks are made in India.
