Ford launches new manufacturing and engine plant in Sanand

Ford has inaugurated its integrated manufacturing facility including a state-of-the-art vehicle manufacturing facility and a world-class engine plant in Sanand, Gujarat. This will be Ford’s second plant in India and it will begin operations by producing the Figo Aspire compact sedan.

Since breaking ground in September 2011, Ford has invested over 1billion USD in the two facilities. Spread over 460 acres, the facility includes stamping, body, paint and assembly operations for vehicle manufacturing, as well as machining and assembly operations for engine manufacturing.

The vehicle manufacturing plant in Sanand will have an initial installed annual capacity of 240,000 units, while the engine plant will have an initial installed annual capacity of 270,000 engines. Ford’s Sanand plant will launch with single shift operations supported by approximately 2,500 employees. The plant also will generate employment for more than 7,500 across tier I suppliers and the rest of the value chain.

“With today’s opening of our plant in Sanand, we have taken our growth commitment to a new high in India,” said Mark Fields, Ford president and CEO. “We are doubling our manufacturing capacity in India, creating good jobs and serving our customers around the world with great products,” he added.

The launch of Ford’s integrated manufacturing facility was attended by Anandiben Patel, chief minister of Gujarat, in the presence of Saurabhbhai Patel, minister of finance and Vijaybhai Rupani, minister of transport along with senior officials from the government of Gujarat.