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Ford Motor Opens New Engine Plant In India

by Darren

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In a sign that times continue to change, Ford Motor Company has announced the opening of a new engine plant in India. Plans for the new plant in Chennai are ambitious.

The plant, near Chennai in southern India, will initially make 60,000 engines annually for its Fiesta and Fusion models, starting with the 1.4-litre diesel Duratorq engines, it said.

Ford will first aim the 50,000 diesel and 10,000 petrol engines at the local market, and then export them. It will have an eventual capacity of 250,000 engines.

“This facility will help position Ford India as a strategic manufacturing hub for low displacement powertrain engines within our Asia Pacific and Africa region,” said Michael Boneham, president and managing director of Ford India.

Ford is aiming to increase market share in India, where car sales are expected to soar to 2 million annually in 2010. The company thinks that their cars will be competitive because they’re made from at least 50% local content in their diesel engines.

Ford India is working on a new small car to compete with leaders Suzuki and Tata Motors.