Ford Motor Plans Major Export Operation from Chennai Plant

Ford Motor Company announced plans to utilize its Chennai manufacturing plant for export purposes. The Tamil Nadu government was notified via a Letter of Intent. This move is a result of Tamil Nadu CM Stalin's efforts to attract investment and reposition the state as a leading manufacturing hub.

American automaker Ford Motor has announced preparations to utilize its Chennai manufacturing plant for export purposes, the company revealed on Friday. Ford has formally notified the Tamil Nadu government of its intentions through a 'Letter of Intent'.

Minister for Industries TRB Rajaa, on a trip to the United States with Chief Minister M K Stalin to attract investors, stated that the CM's efforts to reposition 'Brand Tamil Nadu' have been successful. According to Rajaa, this decision by Ford is a testament to the tireless efforts of Chief Minister Stalin, resulting in significant gains for the state's economic reputation.

'A year of constant interactions and consistent pitches under the guidance of our CM, Tamil Nadu M K Stalin, have led to the return of Ford Motor Company to Tamil Nadu,' Rajaa commented in a social media post.

Rajaa shared a video of his earlier visit to Ford's Dearborn Manufacturing unit in the US, where the company produces the F150. Notably, Chief Minister Stalin recently held a meeting with Ford's senior management to discuss reviving the plant's operations in Tamil Nadu. The Chennai plant, located in Maraimalai Nagar, had ceased its operations in September 2021, pivoting to focus on selling imported vehicles.

Ford International Markets Group President Kay Hart stated that this step is aimed at leveraging Tamil Nadu's manufacturing expertise to serve new global markets. The automaker currently operates a Global Business Centre in Chennai, employing around 12,000 people, with plans to expand by an additional 2,500 to 3,000 employees in the next three years.

(With inputs from agencies.)