Mid-cap engineering, research, and development (ER&D) services companies, including KPIT Technologies Ltd, L&T Technology Services Ltd (LTTS), and Tata Elxsi Ltd, are witnessing robust growth driven by automotive clients.

This surge comes at a time when larger IT services firms, such as Tata Consultancy Services Ltd (TCS) and HCL Technologies Ltd, report a slowdown due to major car manufacturers delaying investments in the electric vehicle (EV) sector. 

Despite the caution among larger players, KPIT, LTTS, and Tata Elxsi have reported impressive growth in their revenues from the transportation vertical.

For the quarter ending June 2024, these companies recorded sequential revenue increases of 3.5 percent, 6.5 percent, and 4.4 percent, respectively, according to data from their latest financial results. 

KPIT Technologies Ltd, headquartered in Pune, is a leading ER&D firm with a strong focus on the automotive sector. The company reported revenue of $165 million in the June 2024 quarter, with nearly all of it generated from its automotive clients, including passenger cars and commercial vehicles. This marks a significant milestone for KPIT as it continues to strengthen its position as a key player in the automotive ER&D space

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LTTS, based in Vadodara, Gujarat, is another mid-cap ER&D firm that has seen notable growth in its mobility segment which includes both commercial and personal vehicles.

 

The company derives just over a third of its revenues from this sector, reflecting its strategic focus on the automotive industry, the 6.5% increase in revenue from this segment underscores LTTS’s capability to capitalize on opportunities within the mobility market, even as larger IT firms face headwinds. 

Bengaluru-based Tata Elxsi ltd, a design and technology service provider, with the automotive sector accounting for more than half of its ₹926.5 crore revenue in the June 2024 quarter. The 4.4% growth in this segment highlights Tata Elxsi’s continued success in delivering innovative solutions to its automotive clients, further solidifying its leadership in the ER&D space.

The growth trajectory of these mid-cap ER&D companies contrasts with the cautious stance adopted by larger IT services firms, which are grappling with reduced spending by major car manufacturers on new EV projects. The sustained demand from automotive clients for KPIT, LTTS, and Tata Elxsi demonstrates the resilience of mid-cap players in the ER&D sector and their ability to adapt to evolving industry trends. 

As the automotive sector continues to navigate the complexities of the transition to electric vehicles, these mid-cap ER&D firms are poised to pay a crucial; role in driving innovation and supporting their clients in overcoming the challenges of this dynamic market.