FILE PHOTO: A motorcyclist rides past the logo of Foxconn, the trading name of Hon Hai Precision Industry, in Taipei, Taiwan March 30, 2018. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu/File PhotoMUMBAI/DELHI - 27 December 2018: Apple Inc will begin assembling its top-end iPhones in India through the local unit of Foxconn as early as 2019, the first time the Taiwanese contract manufacturer will have made the product in the country, according to a source familiar with the matter.Importantly, Foxconn will be assembling the most expensive models, such as devices in the flagship iPhone X family, the source said, potentially taking Apple’s business in India to a new level.The work will take place at Foxconn’s plant in Sriperumbudur town in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, this source added.Foxconn, which already makes phones for Xiaomi Corp, will invest 25 billion Indian rupees ($356 million) to expand the plant, including investment in iPhone production, Tamil Nadu’s Industries Minister M C Sampath told Reuters.The investment may create as many as 25,000 jobs, he added.The other source declined to be named as this person is not authorized to speak to the media. A third source confirmed Foxconn planned to assemble iPhones in India.The Hindu newspaper first reported on December 24 that the Foxconn plant would begin manufacturing various models of the iPhone. It is also unclear whether the production will be confined to assembly or include any component production in India.Apple spokeswoman Trudy Muller declined to comment for this story.Foxconn said it does not comment on matters related to current or potential customers, or any of their products. It did not immediately respond to a request seeking confirmation that it was investing $356 million in Tamil Nadu.Apple shocked investors last month with a lower-than-expected sales forecast for the Christmas quarter that jolted parts suppliers across the world.Foxconn has previously expressed concern over demand for Apple’s flagship devices.

Source: Egypt Today December 27, 2018 09:22 UTC