Ford Motor Company announced on Friday its plans to restart production at its Chennai factory, marking the automaker’s return to the Indian market after its exit in September 2021. The Maraimalai Nagar plant, which ceased operations in August 2022, will now be repurposed for manufacturing vehicles for export under Ford’s global Ford+ growth plan.
Kay Hart, President of Ford’s International Markets Group, confirmed that the company has submitted a Letter of Intent to the Tamil Nadu government. This move follows a recent visit by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin to Ford’s headquarters in Michigan, where he urged the company to resume production in the state.
Hart emphasized Ford’s ongoing commitment to India, highlighting the factory’s role in serving new global markets and supporting the local economy. The Chennai plant’s revival is expected to create an additional 2,500 to 3,000 jobs over the next three years, bolstering Ford’s workforce in India, which is already its second-largest salaried base worldwide.
Ford also maintains a significant presence in India through its Global Business Operations and engine manufacturing in Sanand, Gujarat, serving one million customers with support services.
