Interiors supplier Antolin has opened its first factory in India specialising in lighting, HMI systems and electronics.

The new centre is located in Chakan (Pune), one of the most industrialised regions in the country and home to plants of leading OEMs.

Antolin will produce products and components for its largest customers in India, Tata, Suzuki, Toyota, Mahindra and Skoda-VW. The factory will employ 200 within two years and comprises 3,200 square metres of manufacturing and assembly area and adjoining offices.

Antolin has also set up a specific lighting, HMI and electronics business unit for this market to meet emerging demand for smart advanced surfaces and functional lighting.

The factory will make all the ambient lighting for the new Mahindra electric vehicle platform, as well as an innovative central touch control panel for Tata's Safari and Harrier models. This, already in production, integrates sophisticated smart surface, multicolor ambient lighting, capacitive switches and electronics.

By combining several HMI functions, the design of this part maximises the interface for the end user and the vehicle customisation options.

“We will be closer to our customers, adapting to their technical requirements while also seeking ways to collaborate in innovation and technological development. We are expanding in a country that offers enormous growth opportunities in coming years in terms of both sales and of creating a large technology and engineering hub for the region”, said chairman Ernesto Antolin.

Antolin has nine industrial centres and two technical-commercial offices, employing over 2,000 people.