Ford India’s Chennai plant achieved two milestones with the plant producing its one millionth vehicle – a Ford EcoSport – and its one millionth engine.
The US$ 1 billion manufacturing facility at Chennai started operations in 1999 and today makes the company’s EcoSport, Fiesta and Endeavour models. Spread over 350 acres, the integrated Chennai complex also houses an engine assembly plant that started commercial operations in 2008. The engine plant features Ford’s single-flexible production line, configured to build both petrol and diesel engines simultaneously. The Chennai facility has an installed capacity to assemble up to
2 lakh vehicles and 3.4 lakh engines a year.
Speaking on the occasion Balasundaram Radhakrishnan, executive director - manufacturing, Ford Chennai Vehicle Assembly & Engine Plant, said “Chennai is from where we started our make in India journey. Apart from being a global manufacturing hub for Ford, the facility has set new benchmarks in adopting processes that not only ensure global quality but significantly reduce our carbon footprint. The millionth vehicle and engine production milestone stands as a testament to the passion and dedication of more than 6,000 hardworking men and women at Chennai”
The Chennai facility also serves as a source of exports for the company with Ford exporting vehicles and engines to over 40 markets including parts of ASEAN, Europe, Middle-East and Africa.