PICS : Ford's Chennai Factory. Detailed report on the making of Figos, Fiestas...

WindRide · 21st May 2010, 19:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTO

I'm not sure if anyone else at the event noticed this board standing in the corner...but it sure as hell made me smile.

To pick a few lines:
...

The last line "Ford. We started it all" says everything.

GTO - Awesome pics. I liked the way you kept words to the minimum and let the pics do all the talking.

I wonder how much more advanced will the VW plant in Pune will be, considering its more modern and rolls out the the higher-end cars like Passats, et al.

jkdas · 21st May 2010, 20:00

Brilliant one. Takes one closer to the maker/manufactures.

The "child parts" approach is great something only your local mechanic and Carnival does. Another thing for others to learn from Ford.

anekho · 21st May 2010, 20:01

Thanks for the tour, GTO!

Loved the detailed pics and short explanations, felt like I was there

PS: Some of you guys might have missed Dippy's thread on his tour of the Mercedes Factory. Check it out here: http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/super-...akan-pune.html

Technocrat · 21st May 2010, 20:04

Fantastic Report GTO (Marked it 5 *)

Its really nice of Ford to give such a tour & even better to allow you to take pictures, we see some really informative stuff in those pictures

shortbread · 21st May 2010, 20:29

Great report GTO, really hoping that this thread opens up corporate eyes and TBhp team recieves more such invites, both from India and abroad (of course not if you guys dont want to leave the country for a couple of days).

Odd question, do Ford import their Steel or is it locally supplied??

prashanthyr · 21st May 2010, 20:30

Awesome!
I have been more and more inclined towards a ford product after experiencing the products first hand (fiesta, figo) as also their efforts at making ownership as inexpensive and hassle free as possible

mail4ajo · 21st May 2010, 20:47

Awesome pics and writeup. All companies should show the courage to invite jounos to the plant and show the process involved in getting the cars you drive. I want to see how Tatas and Marutis are built.

Brilliant idea by Ford to showcase itself as a quality and process oriented manufacturer in India considering they are now in the serious volumes game of hatchbacks and the rapidly growing premium hatchback category. Special focus on spares was an eye opener.

This thread has seriously given me more confidence in considering Ford for a future purchase.

sdp1975 · 21st May 2010, 20:50

Excellent pics GTO. The pics really say it all. I hope other manufacturers will follow suit.

Did anyone else accompany you to the plant, or was it you alone ?

nurni76 · 21st May 2010, 21:04

GTO, this is simply awesome. What a compilation of the visit to the factory! I have rated this thread 5 stars. Seriously if I had an option, I would have rated it beyond that as well.

This report has brought back nostalgic memories of my 2 years at MUL. In the 1st year as a GET, I had to undergo 2 stints in production. One was on the assembly line of the 800 where I had to assemble the brake booster assy. The first week was extremely tough. Each station had a stop for the car body, for roughly 5-10s, within which the assy had to be completed. My entire body went for a toss in the first 10 days. But it was a fantastic learning experience. The second stint was in the engine assy unit where I had to work on the transmission case assy station. That was equally tiring and wonderful. I also remember ripping export 2 door Zens, Balenos and Esteems on the test track when I had a stint in the VI (Vehicle inspection) dept. That Zen was amazing and I am sure you would have experienced the same with the Fiesta on the track.In fact the whole plant is like a wonderland where one gets to learn a lot.

Those days, visitors were allowed (relatives of employees) on saturday, but no one was ever allowed to take snaps. I am sure Ford is trying to advertise proactively and what better than inviting Team Bhp for this. Kudos to GTO and Team BHP. Hope this sets a trend for more manufacturers to follow suit.

arvindmanju · 21st May 2010, 21:07

wow! amazing stuff! GTO

Aniket6 · 21st May 2010, 21:10

Awesome stuff GTO,really impressive.Ford is really showing off.I can only imagine the fun you must have had there both inside and out.

Just imagine where Ford would have been now if they had launched the Figo instead of the Fusion 6 years back and launched the new fiesta hatch and sedan last year.Pretty sure they would be among top 5 in numbers.

p'arth · 21st May 2010, 21:13

Excellent. Amazing. Wow.

basilmabraham · 21st May 2010, 21:26

Brilliant thread, very neatly done... rated 5 stars.

Kudos to Ford for opening their factory doors.

There is the BMW Welt here in Munich, where there is a production line guided tour. I have been to the museum, but not the production line tour yet. Not sure whether cameras are allowed there. Will check it out soon.

benbsb29 · 21st May 2010, 21:29

Excellent thread, Rush... and lovely pics!
Really made me jealous.

Between, did you discuss anything on their future lineup for India?

shajufx · 21st May 2010, 21:32

Very informative thread, being a fiesta owner, I enjoyed every bit of info and pics posted. Thanks again.

21st May 2010, 20:00	#32
jkdas Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Thiruvananthapu Posts: 9,687 Thanked: 1,495 Times View My Garage	Brilliant one. Takes one closer to the maker/manufactures. The "child parts" approach is great something only your local mechanic and Carnival does. Another thing for others to learn from Ford.
	() Thanks

21st May 2010, 20:01	#33
anekho Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: . Posts: 1,997 Thanked: 685 Times	Thanks for the tour, GTO! Loved the detailed pics and short explanations, felt like I was there PS: Some of you guys might have missed Dippy's thread on his tour of the Mercedes Factory. Check it out here: http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/super-...akan-pune.html
	() Thanks

21st May 2010, 20:04	#34
Technocrat Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: GTA Posts: 14,815 Thanked: 2,704 Times	Fantastic Report GTO (Marked it 5 *) Its really nice of Ford to give such a tour & even better to allow you to take pictures, we see some really informative stuff in those pictures
	() Thanks

21st May 2010, 20:29	#35
shortbread Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: KL 7 Posts: 2,645 Thanked: 7,553 Times	Great report GTO, really hoping that this thread opens up corporate eyes and TBhp team recieves more such invites, both from India and abroad (of course not if you guys dont want to leave the country for a couple of days). Odd question, do Ford import their Steel or is it locally supplied??
	() Thanks

21st May 2010, 20:30	#36
prashanthyr BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: London Posts: 546 Thanked: 249 Times	Awesome! I have been more and more inclined towards a ford product after experiencing the products first hand (fiesta, figo) as also their efforts at making ownership as inexpensive and hassle free as possible
	() Thanks

21st May 2010, 20:47	#37
mail4ajo Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 1,957 Thanked: 336 Times View My Garage	Awesome pics and writeup. All companies should show the courage to invite jounos to the plant and show the process involved in getting the cars you drive. I want to see how Tatas and Marutis are built. Brilliant idea by Ford to showcase itself as a quality and process oriented manufacturer in India considering they are now in the serious volumes game of hatchbacks and the rapidly growing premium hatchback category. Special focus on spares was an eye opener. This thread has seriously given me more confidence in considering Ford for a future purchase.
	() Thanks

21st May 2010, 20:50	#38
sdp1975 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,716 Thanked: 1,275 Times View My Garage	Excellent pics GTO. The pics really say it all. I hope other manufacturers will follow suit. Did anyone else accompany you to the plant, or was it you alone ? Last edited by sdp1975 : 21st May 2010 at 20:51.
	() Thanks

21st May 2010, 21:04	#39
nurni76 BHPian Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: BLR/SEATTLE Posts: 908 Thanked: 362 Times View My Garage	Brilliant Report GTO, this is simply awesome. What a compilation of the visit to the factory! I have rated this thread 5 stars. Seriously if I had an option, I would have rated it beyond that as well. This report has brought back nostalgic memories of my 2 years at MUL. In the 1st year as a GET, I had to undergo 2 stints in production. One was on the assembly line of the 800 where I had to assemble the brake booster assy. The first week was extremely tough. Each station had a stop for the car body, for roughly 5-10s, within which the assy had to be completed. My entire body went for a toss in the first 10 days. But it was a fantastic learning experience. The second stint was in the engine assy unit where I had to work on the transmission case assy station. That was equally tiring and wonderful. I also remember ripping export 2 door Zens, Balenos and Esteems on the test track when I had a stint in the VI (Vehicle inspection) dept. That Zen was amazing and I am sure you would have experienced the same with the Fiesta on the track.In fact the whole plant is like a wonderland where one gets to learn a lot. Those days, visitors were allowed (relatives of employees) on saturday, but no one was ever allowed to take snaps. I am sure Ford is trying to advertise proactively and what better than inviting Team Bhp for this. Kudos to GTO and Team BHP. Hope this sets a trend for more manufacturers to follow suit.
	() Thanks

21st May 2010, 21:07	#40
arvindmanju BHPian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: KA01 Posts: 492 Thanked: 566 Times	wow! amazing stuff! GTO
	() Thanks

21st May 2010, 21:10	#41
Aniket6 BHPian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 194 Thanked: 242 Times	Awesome stuff GTO,really impressive.Ford is really showing off.I can only imagine the fun you must have had there both inside and out. Just imagine where Ford would have been now if they had launched the Figo instead of the Fusion 6 years back and launched the new fiesta hatch and sedan last year.Pretty sure they would be among top 5 in numbers.
	() Thanks

21st May 2010, 21:13	#42
p'arth BHPian Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 257 Thanked: 91 Times	Excellent. Amazing. Wow.
	() Thanks

21st May 2010, 21:26	#43
basilmabraham BHPian Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Sydney/Cochin Posts: 772 Thanked: 76 Times View My Garage	Brilliant thread, very neatly done... rated 5 stars. Kudos to Ford for opening their factory doors. There is the BMW Welt here in Munich, where there is a production line guided tour. I have been to the museum, but not the production line tour yet. Not sure whether cameras are allowed there. Will check it out soon.
	() Thanks

21st May 2010, 21:29	#44
benbsb29 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Brisbane Posts: 10,084 Thanked: 14,079 Times View My Garage	Excellent thread, Rush... and lovely pics! Really made me jealous. Between, did you discuss anything on their future lineup for India?
	() Thanks

21st May 2010, 21:32	#45
shajufx Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Ottawa Posts: 1,808 Thanked: 832 Times View My Garage	Very informative thread, being a fiesta owner, I enjoyed every bit of info and pics posted. Thanks again.
	() Thanks