Tamil Nadu’s auto backbone is crucial for its manufacturing muscle. As the state government focuses on sunrise sectors such as electronics, green energy, defence and aerospace, the automotive sector continues to be the main investment attraction. Guidance Tamil Nadu data shows that while the state signed 17 MoUs so far this fiscal for an investment of ₹25,535 crore, just three auto investments accounted for 79% of the money at ₹20,238 crore. State government officials say auto-driven growth is unsurprising since much of the new investment is from traditional big auto diversifying into electric mobility or allied areas. “Even sunrise investments in Tamil Nadu are built on the strengths of traditional manufacturing,” says Vishnu Venugopalan. Tamil Nadu's auto-plus focus is deliberate, and the state government is looking at potential buyers for Ford India's now shut factory at Maraimalainagar.