Today, Ford India opens the doors of its new Automotive Facility in Sanand, Gujarat which is set to become one of the largest export hubs in the region.
From Top Left – Chief Guest – Gujarat Chief Minister, Anandiben Patel arrives, Official Plaque unveiled, First car – Figo Aspire rolls off, Mark Fields, CEO, Ford, hands over souvenir to CM.
Spread over an area of 400 acres, Ford Sanand Plant was inaugurated by Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel today, in attendance of US Ambassador to India, Richard Rahul Verma and various other dignitaries. Top level officials from Ford Motor Company, including CEO Mark Fields was also present, marking an important chapter in the company’s history.
Gujarat Chief Minister Smt. Anandiben Patel addressing employees at the inauguration of Ford India’s Sanand Plant
The new facility will house a stamping, vehicle assembly, engine assembly and a parts production plant. Vehicles manufactured from the plant will be both for domestic markets and exports across the globe.
Arial view of Ford Sanand Plant
This new plant in Sanand, Gujarat, once fully operational and along with the company’s plant in Chennai, will take Ford India’s manufacturing capacity to over 600,000 engines and 440,000 passenger cars per annum. The Sanand plant is believed to use state of the art automation technology and estimated to be one of the most automated car manufacturing units across Asia Pacific and Africa region.
Gujarat Chief Minister Smt. Anandiben Patel and Ford Motor Co President and CEO Mark Fields with Ford Figo Aspire
It is from this new plant that Ford India will be producing the next generation Ford Figo hatchback to be launched in September 2015 and Ford’s sub four meter compact sedan which is to be launched in July this year. The latter officially rolled off production line today.
New Ford Figo Aspire for India
A part of the ‘Make in India’ strategy, plans for Ford Sanand Automotive Facility was initiated at the time when Narendra Modi was Chief Minister of Gujarat. Work commenced on 5th September 2011 and now, three and half years later the plant is ready to commence production operations. It will give direct employment to 2,500 individuals, while another 7,500 will be employed via vendor partners.
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