Apple is said to produce its renowned wireless earphones, AirPods, at Foxconn’s factory in Hyderabad according to reports.
This move is expected to further solidify India’s position as a key hub in Apple’s global supply chain.
Foxconn, a major player in electronic manufacturing, has greenlit a substantial investment of $400 million for the Hyderabad facility.
The production wheels are set to spin vigorously, with mass manufacturing anticipated to kick off by December 2024.
According to a reliable source, “Foxconn Hyderabad factory will make AirPods. The factory is expected to begin mass production by December.”
This information was corroborated by another source closely connected to the developments.
Both Apple and Foxconn have been approached for comments on this significant advancement, but no responses have been received thus far, Reuters reported.
The inclusion of AirPods in the roster of products being manufactured in India marks a pivotal moment.
This makes AirPods the second product category, after iPhones, to be produced in the country, signifying Apple’s growing reliance on India’s manufacturing prowess.
In the global arena of True Wireless Stereo earphones, Apple’s AirPods reign supreme.
It held an impressive 36 percent market share during the final quarter of 2022, as reported by research firm Canalys.
Notably, this dominance extends across a market fiercely contested by rivals such as Samsung, Xiaomi, Boat, and Oppo.
In parallel, Xiaomi commenced TWS manufacturing in India earlier this year, further underscoring the nation’s burgeoning reputation as a manufacturing hotspot.
The Taiwanese electronics manufacturing giant, Foxconn, now sees boundless investment potential in India.
Its Chairman and CEO, Young Liu, revealed that the company’s Indian arm has achieved an annual turnover of nearly $10 billion (about Rs. 83,129 crores).
Encouraged by the positive energy in the country, Liu affirmed Foxconn’s intent to invest billions of dollars in India, considering the significant market size.
With over 30 factories and campuses sprawling across the Indian landscape, Foxconn’s presence is formidable.
Liu highlighted that Foxconn is not only actively involved in the assembly of information and communication technology but also intends to enhance its competitiveness by focusing on key components.
As part of its expansive plans, Foxconn is poised to expand operations beyond Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, branching into Karnataka, Telangana, and other states.
The company envisions establishing industrial parks in collaboration with central and local governments, in a bid to optimize India’s business environment.
