According to rumors, Apple is still interested in getting Foxconn Technology Group to consider the possibility of making iPhones in India. The technology giant reportedly latched onto the idea after their CEO Tim Cook visited India in May. The move might be considered as part of its expansion plans in the country.
Apple has been eyeing India’s growing smartphone market for a quite a while now. However, the brand does not have a big base for itself in the country. Apple wants to increase local business by opening company-owned stores in India. Cook sees this as an important factor for gaining new customers.
In order to set the outlets up, Apple first needs to produce a fraction of the goods sold on Indian stores in the country itself, as per the policy. This outlines the company’s need for an assembly plant in the nation. The division can ensure a solid supply of the latest iPhones in the regional market and also export the handset to nearby areas.
The Indian government has started offering tax benefits to phone makers willing to set up a local base. So you can see why Apple is still chewing over the idea of manufacturing its smartphone in India. Locally made iPhones will be cheaper for consumers as they will not have to pay import duty on them. It will eventually push sales upwards for the company.
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Apple might want to build a manufacturing unit in India owing to all the aforementioned factors. According to an unnamed source, Foxconn may need two years or more to start assembling iPhones in India. Said factory will work on a scale higher than most local industries in its segment to cater to the demand from other regional markets.