Ford India doubles capacity with new $1-bn plant in Sanand; to launch Ford Figo Aspire

Ford Motor Company today inaugurated its $1-billion state-of-the-art integrated vehicle manufacturing facility and a world-class engine plant in Sanand, Gujarat which, its chief executive Mark Fields said, will help the automaker triple exports from the country.

The Ford Figo Aspire, a new sub-four-metre compact sedan, will be the first car to roll-out from the new plant, he said. The sub-four-metre car, backed by quality manufacturing will redefine expectations in the compact car segment, he added.

The new plant doubles Ford India's annual installed capacity to 610,000 engines and 440,000 vehicles.

''With today's opening of our plant in Sanand, we have taken our growth commitment to a new high in India,'' said Fields. ''We are doubling our manufacturing capacity in India, creating good jobs and serving our customers around the world with great products.''

Since breaking ground in September 2011, Ford has invested over $1 billion in the two facilities in Sanand, which, spread over 460 acres, include stamping, body, paint and assembly operations for vehicle manufacturing, as well as machining and assembly operations for engine manufacturing.

The vehicle manufacturing plant in Sanand will have an initial installed annual capacity of 240,000 units, while the engine plant will have an initial installed annual capacity of 270,000 engines.

Ford's Sanand plant will launch with single shift operations supported by approximately 2500 employees. The plant also will generate employment of more than 7,500 across tier I suppliers and the rest of the value chain.

Ford said it has undertaken several projects to support education, health and sustainability in the local community even ahead of the Sanand launch.

Ford is already working to provide safe drinking water to children in kindergartens run by the government in 70 villages. The company has introduced its Happy Schools programme in 10 schools close to the plant, designed to address gaps in academic support, health, nutrition and infrastructure requirements that restrict schools from imparting holistic education.

''Additional benefits for the community will come from our suppliers who have also moved to the Gujarat area setting up facilities within close proximity to Ford's plant, bringing in additional investment and creating employment opportunities,'' it added.