Tata Technologies and BMW announced the finalisation of a 50:50 joint venture designed to support the BMW Group with in-house software competency, considering the company’s shift in the automotive industry towards digital and software-driven solutions. The newly established entity, to be called BMW TechWorks India, will focus on the development of SDV technology and IT services for the global operations of BMW.
At the launch, Warren Harris, CEO of Tata Technologies, said: “This partnership further reinforces India’s position as a leading provider of engineering and digital services to the global economy.” He noted that “the paradigm is shifting” in an industry where electric vehicles and autonomous driving technologies are fast becoming the new standard.
Software is indeed a key part; a car that is not connected is almost like a car that has broken down. With the growing dependence on software in designing automobiles, Christoph Grote, Senior Vice President of Electronics and Software at BMW, stated: “One of my favorite sayings is that a car that’s not connected is almost like a car that’s broken down.” Alexander Buresch, CIO and Senior VP of BMW IT, reiterated that the India hub is focused not only on supporting the Asia-Pacific region but also on providing solutions globally for BMW’s customer base.
This venture is part of a larger industry trend in which manufacturers continue to compete to create the next generation of vehicles with complex software systems to meet the growing demand for autonomous features and seamless connectivity. Tata Technologies already has significant automotive clients, including Tata Motors and Jaguar Land Rover, and is deeply knowledgeable in the automotive field, extending that expertise into adjacent sectors such as aerospace, transportation, and heavy machinery.
Aditya Khera, CEO of BMW TechWorks India, emphasised the venture’s role in fostering innovation in automotive software and mission-critical systems. “It’s not offshoring or outsourcing. This is a knowledge center where product strategy is defined in collaboration with BMW,” he said.
The joint venture is set to launch in early November, with a headcount of more than 100 highly skilled professionals from Tata Technologies, with plans to increase numbers as operations scale across several locations in India and Europe. “The team will take end-to-end responsibility for the solutions delivered,” said Harris. Contrary to the normal service delivery from India—which typically involves aggregation and testing by customer teams—this JV will function seamlessly as an extension of BMW’s product development teams in Munich.
Harris also elaborated that the technology developed through this project would form the foundation for several brands within the BMW portfolio, including MINI and Rolls-Royce. “Most OEMs will continue to invest in product development during downturns, as it secures their future,” said Harris, who also noted that pressure remains mounting over the softening of the global automotive sector. The Tata Technologies and BMW partnership is set to drive innovation and enhance software capabilities, strengthening both companies’ positions in the automotive sector.
The JV’s leadership team will be headquartered in Pune, with operations distributed across three strategic locations: Pune, Bangalore, and Chennai.
