Apple will soon manufacture AirPods in India for export purposes. The move comes amidst the company’s push to grow its manufacturing presence in the country.
Apple already makes iPhones in India to meet local demand and export to other markets.
Apple expands its manufacturing presence in India
For years, Apple relied heavily on China as its manufacturing base. However, the COVID-19 pandemic exposed the flaw in the company’s strategy, as relying on one country for its entire supply chain posed several risks.
Apple was already considering making India a second manufacturing base in 2019, before the pandemic. But COVID-19 accelerated that process, with the company now making new iPhones in India and China simultaneously.
Apple’s manufacturing presence in India will only grow further. The company already makes more iPhones in India than you think, with reports suggesting iPhone production could double in the country within two years. It currently assembles around $15-$16 billion worth of iPhones in India annually, which accounts for about 14% of the total iPhone production.
Building on this, Apple will reportedly expand its manufacturing facilities to assemble AirPods in India.
‘Made in India’ AirPods coming soon
A Press Trust of India report claims Apple will start making AirPods in India from April. “Production of Airpods is going to start in India at Foxconn’s Hyderabad facility. It will begin from April but it will be only for exports as of now,” claims the report, citing an industry source.
The company will seemingly cater to the demand for AirPods in Europe, the United States, and other countries. Foxconn will run the manufacturing facility for Apple.
Following the iPhone, AirPods would be the second major product that Apple will assemble in the Asian country.
Despite local production, Apple will not sell the Made in India AirPods in the country itself. Initially, it only plans to export the assembled units, though its plans could change in the future.
