Force Motors today inaugurated its new engine plant at Chakan, near Pune. The automaker has been providing engines for all Mercedes-Benz cars made in India since 1997, and now also builds front and rear axles for all the models by the German carmaker.

The new plant was conceptualised in June 2015, with the first engines rolling out in February 2016. Spread over 1,30,000 square feet, it has a current capacity of 20,000 engines and 20,000 front and rear axles; both of these capacities are expandable. The plant can manufacture and test up to 14 engine variants, and is dedicated to producing petrol and diesel engines in in-line four and V6 configurations, which will power the complete range of Mercedes cars and SUVs in India.

Thus far, Force Motors has supplied over 60,000 engines and 50,000 axles to Mercedes-Benz. This facility, built with an investment of Rs 100 crore, is part of a Rs 700 crore commitment from Force Motors to Mercedes-Benz, which will be invested over the next two years. 

Back in 2015, BMW too assigned Force Motors to produce and test engines for all its cars made in India. Engines for BMW are built by Force Motors at a facility in Chennai, which is close to the carmaker's  factory.