In a significant development that further bolsters India’s ‘Make-in-India’ initiatives, Google has announced its plans to manufacture its latest Pixel smartphones in the country. This move comes as a part of Google’s commitment to promoting domestic manufacturing and reducing its reliance on imports. With this initiative, Google joins the ranks of tech giants like Apple and Samsung who have already established manufacturing facilities in India.
Google for India: The Announcement
The announcement took place at the 9th ‘Google for India’ event, where the company disclosed its plans to manufacture Pixel phones in India. The event was attended by India’s Electronics and Information Technology Minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw, highlighting the importance of this partnership.
Rick Osterloh, Google’s Senior VP stated that the first ‘Made-in-India’ Pixel phones will be available in 2024. This showcases Google’s dedication to the Indian market and supports the government’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-reliant India) initiative, promoting local production and assembly.
Google is set to assemble its Pixel smartphone series in India, following the trend of other tech giants looking to manufacture devices in South Asia. Initially, Google will focus on assembling the current lineup, including the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro. Rick Osterloh, Senior VP of Devices and Services at Google, made this announcement at the company’s annual India event, with the India-assembled batch expected to be available from the next year.
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Collaboration with Domestic and International Partners
The announcement didn’t reveal partner details, but prior reports suggested Google’s discussions with notable Indian suppliers like Lava International Ltd, Dixon Technologies India, and Bharat FIH, the Indian division of Foxconn Technology Group.
“We are partnering with international and domestic partners to produce Pixel smartphones locally. It’s an early step towards expanding our production here to meet the local demands for Pixel devices and even more importantly it’s a huge step forward in Google’s commitment to India,”
~Rick Osterloh, Senior VP of Devices and Services at Google
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The Significance of Google’s ‘Make-in-India’ Initiative
- Boost to the ‘Make-in-India’ Campaign: Google’s decision to manufacture Pixel phones in India is a testament to government’s ‘Make-in-India’ initiative. This program aims to transform India into a global manufacturing hub. This is achieved by encouraging both domestic and foreign companies to establish manufacturing operations within the country.
- Economic Growth: By producing its smartphones locally, Google will contribute to India’s economic growth. This would do this by creating job opportunities, promoting investment in the manufacturing sector. This would also reduce the trade deficit by decreasing smartphone imports.
- Quality Control and Customization: Manufacturing in India allows Google to maintain better control over the production process, ensuring the highest quality standards. The ability to customize products to meet the specific needs of the Indian market is another advantage.
- Access to a Growing Market: India is one of the fastest-growing smartphone markets in the world. By manufacturing locally, Google can better cater to the diverse and evolving needs of Indian consumers.
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Conclusion
Google’s choice to produce Pixel smartphones in India underscores the country’s increasing importance and aligns with the ‘Make-in-India’ initiative. This strengthens Google’s presence in India and highlights India’s emergence as a global tech manufacturing hub. Collaborating with both local and international partners paves the way for a promising future where more tech giants may join in, further solidifying India’s role in global tech manufacturing. Consumers are eagerly anticipating the launch of the ‘Made-in-India’ Pixel phones in 2024.
