[zeus18]

Ford will rather look at saving its face in EU and the UK and play it safe in the USA by launching more hybrids— don't forget Ford loses money on every EV it sells— until it improves its EV offerings. It would never want to re-enter Indian market and bleed again at this significant transitional phase after bleeding here from its inception until its departure in India!

[ashutoshb]

Ford Team met Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin. He tweeted.

Source: Ford held talks with Indian state to restart production for exports, minister says

[sharmanova]

Source: Deccan Herald's 12th September issue.

[funnysaltbrick]

I still believe that the Maraimalai plant has more to give. It's a world class facility that has stopped because the parental entity in Ford was not taking India seriously enough. They should have looked at how hard and fast Hyundai was at Sriperumbudur and atleast made some efforts. I assume this talks gone one of two ways. One way is that they are working out a way to hand the plant into governmental hands for it to be auctioned off to auto OEM's.

Another (very hopeful) way is that this would lead to the plant getting restarted by Ford India to locally produce kits for the Ranger/Everest platform and sell a limited number in India, eventually going for full-scale localisation where they make Chennai the home for the T6 Platform and making it for the South Asian/African-Middle Eastern/South East Asian markets as an export hub. Remember, Ford has made it clear that the small capacity models are not coming anytime soon. It's a horrible idea but it is what it is.

Honestly, I want to see the Escape/Edge/Focus platforms in India. They would be the bread-butter to the croissant-caviar of the Ranger/Everest. But that's being hopeful.

[volkman10]

Ford confirms restart of vehicle production in India. To focus on exports for global markets.

This strategic move will see the facility repurposed to focus on manufacturing for export to global markets, as part of the company’s ambitious Ford+ growth plan.

Ford today announced that it has submitted a Letter of Intent (LoI) to the Government of Tamil Nadu, confirming its intention to utilize the Chennai plant for manufacturing for export. The announcement follows a meeting between Ford leadership and the Chief Minister of the Government of Tamil Nadu as part of his visit to the United States.

This strategic move will see the facility repurposed to focus on manufacturing for export to global markets, as part of the company’s ambitious Ford+ growth plan.

Further information about the type of manufacturing and other details will be disclosed in due course.

Ford currently employs 12,000 individuals in Global Business Operations in Tamil Nadu, a number expected to grow by 2,500 to 3,000 jobs within the next three years. Combined with the engine manufacturing operations in Sanand, India represents Ford’s second-largest salaried workforce worldwide

Link:

[diwakarmuthu]

Official statement from the Ford International Ops head. Only going to be used for Export. I don't think a local product launch is on the horizon.

[It's Magic]

Originally Posted by volkman10

Ford confirms restart of vehicle production in India. To focus on exports for global markets.

This makes sense. Restarting production for India specific cars will require significant effort and additional investments. They must have already calculated the feasibility of surviving in the Indian market before their previous exit.

Producing cars in India for export will save costs due to the exchange rate advantage.

[cosmodan]

This is exciting news for current Ford owners, least the service centers and support will be functional and effective for upcoming years.
Based on job listings posted couple of months back, Ford could be manufacturing and exporting EV models, curious to know otherwise.
Welcome back Ford!

[PrideRed]

Wonder what cars are they planning to manufacture and export? Ecosport is bit too old now and many markets have stopped offering same. Don't think Ford manufactured cars other than Ecosport in this plant. If at all they plan to manufacture all new car, will be good to launch in India too.

[ABHI_1512]

Originally Posted by volkman10

Ford confirms restart of vehicle production in India. To focus on exports for global markets.

This strategic move will see the facility repurposed to focus on manufacturing for export to global markets, as part of the company’s ambitious Ford+ growth plan.

Further information about the type of manufacturing and other details will be disclosed in due course.

The quoted part in bold is the key here. Restarting manufacturing is always a good news and that creates an opportunity for the future in India as well. I am hopeful that they will come up with products for the domestic market. The market anyways has deviated since Ford stopped manufacturing and quite in sync with their present philosophy where SUV’s rule their portfolio.

[Vibhav-Van]

Originally Posted by PrideRed

Don't think Ford manufactured cars other than Ecosport in this plant. If at all they plan to manufacture all new car, will be good to launch in India too.

The Endeavour was made in their Chennai plant at M.M Nagar. Now that the newer generation Everest is selling in Australia, I am assuming they could make Chennai the RHD hub. Perhaps some EVs too? But considering the plant's existing tooling which was kept on warm idle as per previous reports, the current Everest should be the easiest to start production. Of course, various questions need to be answered - like CKD vs assembly with partial localisation, identifying vendors etc. Either way, all this could easily take at least a year or more to see the ultimate fruit in the form of a new Ford made in India again.

The only hope for many on this forum including me, is that some of those cars trickle into our market albeit in limited numbers.

[PrideRed]

Originally Posted by Vibhav-Van

The Endeavour was made in their Chennai plant at M.M Nagar. Now that the newer generation Everest is selling in Australia, I am assuming they could make Chennai the RHD hub.

The only hope from many on this forum including me, is that some of those trickle into our market albeit in limited numbers.

The Endeavour was CKD as I recall and yes they did have CKD assembly line but they never exported anywhere. After Figo twins moved to GJ, only Ecosport was being manufactured fully in Chennai. May be with 2.0L Endeavour, manufacturing was completely done in house against to CKD/SKD?

If Endeavour will be manufactured here, not sure what other model will come as CBU and why not launch in India with competitive price.

[dust-n-bones]

Originally Posted by ABHI_1512

I am hopeful that they will come up with products for the domestic market. The market anyways has deviated since Ford stopped manufacturing and quite in sync with their present philosophy where SUV’s rule their portfolio.

Originally Posted by Vibhav-Van

The only hope for many on this forum including me, is that some of those cars trickle into our market albeit in limited numbers.

Originally Posted by PrideRed

If Endeavour will be manufactured here, not sure what other model will come as CBU and why not launch in India with competitive price.

Have a contrary view. There is a reason Ford withdrew from the market 3 years ago - ad-hoc policy shifts, cost of 'homologation' of global models v/s miniscule revenue, impracticality of India specific platforms chasing microscopic market share. Not much has really changed since then.

Selling 'limited numbers' just doesn't cut it, given what it costs to operate in India.

When an overseas operation keeps bleeding with a forever unfulfilled promise of 'India will follow China's footsteps', someone or the other will pull the plug eventually.

Unless Ford decision making is as ad-hoc as India's auto policies, they will stay away. They should only make a U-turn when they decide to sink, swim, float, drown in an 'ever after' nuptials with the country, like MnM or Tata. You have to homologate the company itself.

Investing here is an inter-generational bet. If Ratan Tata drowns, maybe N Chandra won't.

[autocratic1107]

Not sure if Ford still has the same respect amongst the people here, considering the fact they abruptly left the country. People in the social platforms are so excited about Ford's re-entry news and expecting global model launches in India with Everest being the most popular pick. Ford should utilize Maraimalai Nagar plant for manufacture and exports only, doubt whether they will launch any India specific models.

[denny_ace]

Originally Posted by dust-n-bones

Unless Ford decision making is as ad-hoc as India's auto policies, they will stay away. They should only make a U-turn when they decide to sink, swim, float, drown in an 'ever after' nuptials with the country, like MnM or Tata.

Investing here is an inter-generational bet. If Ratan Tata drowns, maybe N Chandra won't.

There's been more news on this from WION a couple of days ago...

https://www.wionews.com/autonews/for...n-india-759117

I liked this part; it's related only to the Endeavour, though - "After hitting the bottom, there is only one way, which is upwards."