India’s ‘Make in India’ campaign is turning the country into a global smartphone manufacturing powerhouse. Major Chinese brands like Oppo, Vivo, Realme, and Xiaomi are ramping up production in India, not just for local sales but also for exports to markets like West Asia, Africa, and the US. They’re teaming up with Indian companies such as Dixon Technologies and Karbonn to make this happen, spurred by government incentives and shifting global trade dynamics.
In FY24, Oppo Mobiles India earned ₹272 crore from exports, while Realme Mobile Telecommunications (India) brought in ₹114 crore, according to recent filings. This shows a big shift—Chinese companies, once focused on India’s massive domestic market, are now eyeing global opportunities. The government’s Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme has been a game-changer, making local production more cost-effective. While Chinese firms don’t directly benefit from PLI, their Indian partners, like Dixon, which produces for Motorola and brands like Itel and Tecno, are scaling up to meet export demand.
Homegrown companies like Karbonn are also jumping in, competing for assembly contracts. But challenges persist, including a lack of Indian executives in top roles at Chinese firms and the need for better tariff policies on components to compete with places like Vietnam and China.
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Experts say India’s low labor costs and supportive policies give it an edge, especially as US tariffs hit Chinese goods. With smartphone exports now outpacing petroleum and diamonds, India is solidifying its spot as a key player in global electronics, thanks to ‘Make in India.’
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