According to latest reports from Reuters, Tata Motors has revised its technology roadmap for the upcoming Avinya electric vehicle portfolio, with future models set to utilise an EV platform derived from the Freelander architecture developed within the Chery-JLR ecosystem. The move is expected to support faster product development while helping the company balance costs and scalability. The first production vehicle under this updated strategy is the Avinya X, currently under development and targeted for launch in 2027. This represents a strategic shift from the original plan to draw heavily from Jaguar Land Rover's Electrified Modular Architecture (EMA), with industry sources indicating Tata Motors opted for the alternative route citing cost and business viability considerations for the planned product positioning and expected volumes. The first Avinya model on Chery's platform is due in 2027 and will be shipped from China as a kit and assembled in India, with efforts to source localised components already underway. The platform deal with Chery is expected to make up for Tata's lost time, granting the company access to advanced features and technology that would otherwise take more time and capital to develop.
The luxury EV range will be developed jointly by Tata Motors, Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), and Chery Jaguar Land Rover (CJLR). While JLR is a subsidiary of Tata Motors, CJLR represents a joint venture between Chinese automaker Chery and JLR. This partnership leverages CJLR's Freelander platform for the first Avinya EV, which will be produced at TMPV's JLR factory located in Panapakkam, Tamil Nadu. The collaboration extends beyond individual vehicles as both companies explore shared technologies and manufacturing efficiencies. Chery told Reuters that its agreement with Tata Motors builds on the success of its collaboration with JLR, stating that "Chery will act as a supplier to Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles. Each project operates under its own separate agreement with standard commercial terms." Chery is China's largest auto exporter, with monthly overseas sales now far exceeding its domestic sales in China, having sold 231,944 vehicles in May, with overseas sales reaching a record 177,666 units.
The Avinya range is expected to be built on multiple, scalable platforms and architectures while being anchored in Tata Motors' design, engineering and integration capabilities. By adopting the Freelander-based architecture, Tata Motors gains access to an established electric vehicle platform while focusing its own resources on software development, localisation and customer-focused technologies. Engineering teams across India, the United Kingdom and China are involved in the development process as the company prepares the platform for its premium EV ambitions. Battery specifications for the first Avinya models are still being finalised, with industry estimates suggesting battery capacities could range between 65kWh and 80kWh, aiming to strike a balance between driving range, performance and cost. Although the core platform originates from the Chery-JLR ecosystem, Tata Motors is reportedly adapting key vehicle systems for local requirements, including work on electronics, software integration and market-specific engineering solutions.
The launch of Avinya represents Tata Motors' strategic move into the premium electric vehicle segment, positioning the brand as a global competitor in the luxury EV market. While the Avinya X is the first confirmed model, industry sources suggest Tata Motors is reportedly evaluating a larger three-row electric SUV as part of the broader Avinya lineup. The long-term objective appears to be establishing Avinya as a dedicated premium EV brand with multiple products across different segments. A second EV is due for launch in 2029, with scope for two more vehicles beyond that, as the company seeks to maintain its position in India's competitive EV market. The Chennai-Ranipet manufacturing ecosystem could play a significant role in supporting future production and localisation efforts, with Tata Motors stating that Avinya will be developed as a global premium EV brand, leveraging scalable architectures, in-house engineering expertise and collaborations with JLR and its technology partners. The proposed arrangement would give India's largest EV maker access to Chery's advanced electric vehicle architecture, with initial units likely to be imported from China as completely knocked-down (CKD) kits and assembled in India, before progressively increasing localisation of components as part of a phased manufacturing strategy.
