A growing number of global corporations—spanning tech, automotive, e-commerce, and luxury sectors—are shifting manufacturing hubs to South Asia and Latin America. This diversification is driven by the need to mitigate supply chain uncertainties against geopolitical trade tensions.
As geopolitical tensions rise and supply chain vulnerabilities persist, multinational companies are rapidly realigning their manufacturing strategies. A clear trend has emerged: moving operations from China and the U.S. to emerging hubs in South Asia and Latin America.
From tech giants to automobile and luxury brands, global companies are investing billions in new production bases to improve resilience, reduce geopolitical risks, and tap into new consumer markets. We’ve rounded up the top seven movers and shakers:
Apple Moves to India
Apple is accelerating its shift to India, already producing the iPhone 15 locally and aiming to make 25% of all iPhones there by 2028, up from 14% in 2023. The company plans to manufacture all iPhone models in India for global export, including to the U.S. Minister for Communications and IT said at Bharat Telecom 2025. He added that this move reflects both strategic and financial advantages, positioning India as a key hub in Apple’s supply chain.
Foxconn Builds Dual Hubs in India and Mexico
Apple’s key supplier, Foxconn, is equally invested in diversification. By 2024, the company operated nine manufacturing campuses and more than 30 factories across India.
New investments include a $360 million plant for phone-case components and a $240 million semiconductor unit. The company, in a joint venture named Vama Sundari with HCL Group, is also investing ₹3,706 crore (approximately $445 million USD) to establish an Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test (OSAT) facility.
In Latin America, Foxconn is building the world’s largest AI server facility for Nvidia in Guadalajara, Mexico. These moves reflect a strategy to not only reduce China risk but also take advantage of lower labour costs and proximity to major markets like the U.S.
Google and Microsoft Expand Hardware Production Beyond China
Google and Microsoft are also pivoting their manufacturing strategies. In 2024, Google began producing Pixel smartphones in India, with the Pixel 8 becoming the first locally made model. Microsoft, meanwhile, shifted production of its Surface laptops and desktops to Vietnam. These strategic relocations aim to avoid potential trade restrictions, reduce dependence on China, and benefit from lower costs and expanding infrastructure in South and Southeast Asia.
Amazon Commits $15 Billion to Indian Expansion
Although a digital-first company, Amazon is heavily investing in India’s physical and digital infrastructure. By 2030, Amazon plans to invest $15 billion, of which $12.7 billion is earmarked for Amazon Web Services. These investments are intended to strengthen Amazon’s cloud ecosystem in India, support local businesses, and expand its footprint in one of the world’s fastest-growing economies.
BYD Powers Into Brazil’s EV Market
In Latin America, Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD is making big moves. In 2024, the company acquired Ford’s former facility in Camaçari, Brazil. BYD plans to manufacture 150,000 EVs annually in the first year and scale to 300,000 units by 2028. Brazil’s access to lithium and favourable trade terms with the West make it an ideal hub for EV production. The initiative will generate local employment, stimulate industrial growth, and strengthen Latin America’s EV supply chain.
Stellantis Banks on Argentina for Auto Production
Global auto manufacturer Stellantis is expanding aggressively in Argentina. In April 2024, it announced a $270 million investment in its El Palomar factory, followed by another $385 million in the Ferreyra plant by September. The goal is to turn Argentina into a key production base to serve the Latin American market while supporting Stellantis’s global net-zero emission goals.
Pandora and L’Oréal Navigate Tariff Challenges
Even companies outside tech and automotive sectors are adjusting supply routes. Danish jewellery brand Pandora, for instance, announced in May 2025 that it would reroute shipments directly to Canada and Latin America—cutting its exposure to U.S. tariffs by 25%. Similarly, cosmetics giant L’Oréal is expanding operations in Mexico, where the beauty market surged 17% to reach €7 billion in 2023. The brand is capitalizing on changing consumer habits, a rising female workforce, and a growing middle class.
