Ford Ready for Small Indian Car Production

American manufacturer Ford is taking big steps towards completing the conversion of its Indian Maraimalai Nagar facility and the beginning of production of the new small vehicle. The car will be at first intended for the local market, but Ford has prospects of exporting it to other markets as well.

"India's long-term significance in our strategy for this region is readily evident with the completion of this new plant," John Parker, Ford Asia Pacific vice president said in a release "We've committed in total more than $950 million in recent years to make India one of Ford's strategic production hubs. It's a strategy built on creating great products whose appeal will reach beyond India's borders, and it's fully in line with our business objective to create volume-production centres of excellence in this region."

Ford says they have invested at least $500 million into fitting the plant. Until now, the facility was producing the Ford Ikon, Ford Fiesta, Ford Fusion and Ford Endeavour exclusively for the local market.

"This new world-class manufacturing facility is a symbol of Ford's commitment to India and our intention to compete with the best in the market," Michael Boneham, Ford India president added. "When the first new car rolls off the line, it will be a moment when Ford achieves its potential as a major player in the Indian automotive industry."

As for the new car to be built here, Ford is now conducting pre-production tests, with the aim to start rolling it off the new assembly lines in early 2010. "The wait is almost over," Boneham said. "We are on target and this is a quantum leap for Ford India."