Ford India to follow Maruti’s footsteps, mulls a new facility in Gujarat

Latest reports suggests that following the foot-steps of Maruti Suzuki, American car maker and world's fourth largest automobile manufacturer, Ford is planning to enter Gujarat.With inputs from reliable sources, the Detroit-based car giant intends to put Rs. 5,000 crore for installation of a factory in Gujarat, with an annual capacity of three lakh cars.  Moreover, Gujarat government has already acknowledged 400 acres of space near Sanand, within the proximity of Indian car giant Tata Motors which was allotted space for Nano plant in 2010. As per sources 100 acres of extra space is expected to be kept aside for Ford’s components units.

It is worth mentioning that in 2010, Ford started seeking land in Gujarat. While no inputs from Ford India and state government, internal sources said that the land allotment is expected to be announced any time in June or July this year. Furthermore, the Indian subsidiary of American car maker, Ford India had already started the installation of a Rs. 1,700-crore manufacturing plant at Maraimalai Nagar, 45 km from Chennai. The new plant is going to manufacture two lakh units per annum. Till now, this development is yet to be announced by Ford India.

Earlier Ford India Spokesperson said that company intends to release eight new cars by 2015 and they are amplifying the capacity of their current manufacturing unit in Tamil Nadu by considerable figures. Further he added that Ford is also looking for other measures with an idea to serve the increasing requirements of consumers in India as well as for exporting the products across the world.

Further, if Ford enters the Gujarat borders, the state will be titled as India’s largest auto hub. It is worth mentioning that U.S car maker General Motors and Indian car giant Tata Motors are already present in Gujarat and other companies like Maruti Suzuki India is on the verge of entering Gujarat for installation of car manufacturing unit with one million cars per annum capacity.The main reason behind Global as well as Indian car companies to drive into Gujarat borders is that 40 percent of the Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor passes through Gujarat. Also, with the presence of sea ports like Kandla and Mundra, the exports and imports are quite easy for companies.