INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Tamil Nadu CM M K Stalin with Matthew Kotlowski, Ford India director (govt affairs), in Dearborn
State Industries minister T R B Raja and Kay Hart, president, Ford IMG, are also present5 min read Last Updated : Sep 13 2024 | 11:55 PM
IST
American carmaker Ford Motor Company is set to reignite its presence in India with plans to restart manufacturing at its Chennai
facility, two years after halting operations and exiting the country
This time, the focus will be likely on electric vehicles, with exports aimed at Southeast Asia.
The Maraimalai Nagar factory, closed in
the Tamil Nadu government
Renault navigated a similar trajectory: The French automaker re-entered India in 2010 -- after its unsuccessful joint venture for Logan with
exports: Ford
According to government sources, the announcement follows year-long efforts by the Tamil Nadu administration to find a
buyer or alternative use for the factory
The push to repurpose the site ramped up in June 2023, as several automotive investors, including Ola Electric, Hyundai Motor India, Tata
Motors, and MG Motor, expressed interest in acquiring the facility
Minister TRB Rajaa initiated talks with Ford in July 2023 during a visit to San Francisco, where Ford requested six months to evaluate its
By early 2024, reports indicated Ford was considering restarting operations, a proposal the Tamil Nadu government had been
vehicles and 340,000 engines
Its proximity to both Chennai and Ennore ports, and a relatively short 320 km distance from Bengaluru, makes it a strategic location
taken over by Tata Passenger Electric Mobility (TPEML) in December 2022 for Rs 725.7 crore
critical market within its global strategy
Ford currently employs 12,000 people at its Global Business Operations unit in Tamil Nadu, a number expected to rise by 2,500 to 3,000 in
company said.
Ford continues to serve a million customers in India, providing service, aftermarket parts, and warranty support
exit12,000: Employees the company has in India currently through Ford Business Solutions3,000: Number of people FBS is planning to hire in
three years$2 billion: Ford's accumulated loss in Indian market over 10 years, at the time of exit2 per cent: Its share in India PV market
American pizza chain is planning an India re-entry in tie-up with PJP Investments Group, one of its international franchise
After deciding to halt its manufacturing operations in India in 2019 amid poor demand and sales, the iconic US motorcycle brand returned in
2023 through a tie-up with Hero MotoCorpFirst Published: Sep 13 2024 | 1:43 PMIST
