India-China Automotive JV Structuring

Challenge

An Indian Tier-1 automotive supplier sought to establish a manufacturing joint venture with a Chinese partner to supply the rapidly growing EV segment in both markets. The client had identified a prospective partner in Guangdong but lacked the bilateral expertise to structure the JV, negotiate governance terms, and navigate Chinese foreign investment regulations.

Solution

We led the full JV structuring process — starting with a detailed due diligence report on the proposed Chinese partner, followed by a governance structure recommendation that balanced operational control with Chinese regulatory requirements. Our team served as the primary negotiation interface, conducting all sessions in Mandarin and providing real-time strategic guidance to the client's CFO and legal team across 14 negotiation sessions.

Results

The JV agreement was signed within 8 months of engagement — well within the client's 12-month target. The structure we designed gave the Indian parent effective operational control while satisfying Chinese foreign investment approval requirements. The JV became operational within 6 months of signing and secured its first OEM contract within the first year.