MG Motor India’s Halol plant in Gujarat is quietly redefining gender roles in automotive manufacturing.
At its advanced battery assembly unit, women now make up nearly 80% of the workforce, a milestone that reflects the company’s sustained commitment to diversity and inclusion.
This workforce is not limited to routine tasks—women are leading teams, conducting quality checks, and managing critical stages of battery production for MG’s bestselling electric vehicles (EVs), including the Windsor and Comet models.
From Assembly to Leadership: Women at the Core of EV Manufacturing
The battery shop floor at Halol is responsible for assembling packs that power MG’s Windsor Pro and Comet EVs.
The Windsor, launched in September 2024, has already crossed 30,000 units in wholesale sales and accounts for nearly 60% of MG’s passenger vehicle sales in India.
The assembly process is rigorous and multi-layered.
Each battery pack begins with an open-circuit voltage test for individual cells, followed by insulation pad placement, module testing, bus-bar assembly, and precision laser welding.
Women workers are involved at every stage, including supervisory roles that oversee insulation withstand tests and final charging cycles.
Their contribution is central to MG’s “zero-compromise” approach to battery reliability and performance.
MG Motor Building Diversity from the Ground Up
MG Motor India began its gender diversity initiative at Halol with modest goals.
Initially targeting 30% female representation, the company saw strong community support and scaled up its hiring.
The first batch of women employees was recruited through word-of-mouth campaigns and local outreach.
Today, women are present across both white-collar and blue-collar roles, with the battery shop floor standing out as a model of inclusive employment.
Yeshwinder Patial, Senior Director of Human Resources at MG Motor India, emphasized the importance of workplace harmony and flexibility.
“It’s crucial for everyone, including men, to understand the intricacies of collaborating with women and to cultivate a workplace environment that values respect,” he said.
Training sessions and sensitization programs have been key to building a gender-equal culture.
Operational Gains and Community Impact
The inclusion of women has not only improved workplace culture but also enhanced operational efficiency.
MG reports a higher “first shot OK” rate—vehicles that pass quality checks without needing rework—and a 6% increase in productivity on the shop floor.
These gains are attributed to the disciplined and detail-oriented approach of the women workforce.
The company took steps to reassure local communities. It invited families to tour the plant and understand the nature of work.
This helped overcome initial apprehensions and encouraged more women to pursue careers in manufacturing.
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