Earlier today we revealed that Ford could be planning to restart manufacturing of its vehicles in the Indian market. However, the news was not officially confirmed yet. Now, Ford Motor Company has announced that the brand has submitted a Letter of Intent to the Government of Tamil Nadu of resuming operations in India. This comes after multiple meetings with the government and feasibility plans to revive the plant.
Ford to Restart Manufacturing at Chennai Plant
Reports reveal that the company currently plans to manufacture its cars at the Chennai plant and export them to global markets. However, the company has not revealed any plans to retail its car in the domestic market. According to a media report the company has had talks with the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, MK Stalin, on the 11th September. Reports also reveal the revival of brand’s 30 year old partnership with the government, and it Made in Tamil Nadu for the World.
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Back in March 2024, Kay Hart, Ford’s president of the International Markets Group, had hinted that the brand will be making a comeback in India. Now, it has been finally confirmed that the Chennai facility will be repurposed for vehicle manufacturing, for export markets. In addition to this, reports also reveal that the company currently employs 12,000 individuals in its Global Business Operations in Tamil Nadu. This number is expected to soon grow by 2,500 to 3,000 jobs in the next 3 years. Also, Ford still manufactures and exports engines from the Sanand factory in Gujarat, on lease from Tata Motors which manufactures its cars in the manufacturing plant acquired from Ford during its exit from India. For Ford, India has the second-largest salaried workforce for the company worldwide.
In 2022 Ford ceased export manufacturing following its domestic production in 2021. Also, the brand sold the Sanand manufacturing plant to Tata Motors in 2023 and closed its Channai plant. Now with the revival of the Chennai plant, the company will soon start export manufacturing from India. However, Ford has not yet reveals which markets the brand will cater to.