Ford Motor said on September 13 that it intends to reopen an export-oriented manufacturing facility in Tamil Nadu, southern India. This move might see Ford Motor re-entering a market that it exited three years ago.
After ceasing operations in India in 2021 and ceasing all exports from the nation in 2022, Ford Motor has reopened discussions about constructing a manufacturing plant in India for exports.
Ford Motor firm aims to relaunch a manufacturing factory for exports in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, the firm said on September 13, possibly re-entering a market it abandoned three years ago, Reuters reports.
The factory will be reconfigured to focus on production for export to global markets as part of Ford+’s ambitious expansion strategy.
“The move will see the facility re-purposed to focus on manufacturing for export to global markets,” Ford stated. The automobiles that Ford intends to produce at the site, as well as other information, will be disclosed later, the firm mentioned. Before its withdrawal, it manufactured automobiles and engines at the Chennai factory.
“We are grateful for the ongoing support from the Tamil Nadu Government as we explored different options for the Chennai plant,” said Kay Hart, president, of Ford International Markets Group. “This step aims to underscore our ongoing commitment to India as we intend to leverage the manufacturing expertise available in Tamil Nadu to serve new global markets.”
Ford presently employs 12,000 people in Global Business Operations in Tamil Nadu, which is likely to increase by 2,500 to 3,000 positions over the next three years. India, together with its engine production plants in Sanand, comprises Ford’s second-largest paid workforce worldwide, according to the automaker.
The new development follows a meeting between Ford executives and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, who was in the United States to explore investments in the state.