Japanese automaker Nissan has signed an agreement with the Kerala Government to set up a digital innovation hub at Thiruvananthapuram, capital of the state. It may be noted that the company, which has a tax dispute with the Government of Tamil Nadu, has one of the largest research and development centres, with about 7,000 people in Chennai along with a manufacturing facility.
The Nissan Digital Hub will be the first of a number of software and information technology development centers in Asia, Europe and North America. These will comprehensively transform Nissan’s business by placing digital technology at the heart of key operations and services, said the company.
The hubs will allow Nissan to help in product development capabilities, security and connectivity as the automotive industry evolves, with growing use of autonomous, connected and electric vehicle technology.
The first center will initially be in Technopark, a technology park owned by Kerala government, before moving to a permanent location in the city. Once fully operational, it will provide a range of in-house services to strengthen Nissan’s digital capabilities in India and other global markets.
“The new Digital Hub in Kerala will serve as an important engine to drive Nissan’s global digital transformation,” said Tony Thomas, corporate vice president and chief information officer at Nissan. “This hub will help us develop and maintain a talented workforce in-house, to improve the way we serve our customers around the world.”