Ford Motor Company has inaugurated its integrated manufacturing facility including a state-of-the-art vehicle manufacturing facility and a world-class engine plant in Sanand, Gujarat. The Ford Figo Aspire, a new sub-four-metre compact sedan, will be the first car to roll-out from the new plant.
The launch of Ford's integrated manufacturing facility was attended by Anandiben Patel, Chief Minister of Gujarat in presence of Saurabhbhai Patel, Minister of Finance and Vijaybhai Rupani, Minister of Transport along with senior officials from the government of Gujarat.
"With today's opening of our plant in Sanand, we have taken our growth commitment to a new high in India," said Mark Fields, Ford President and CEO, who attended the event. "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 US$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 7500 across tier I suppliers and the rest of the value chain.
"With some of the world's best technologies, Ford is stronger than ever to meet the needs of Indian customers and provide them what they need and aspire for," said Nigel Harris, President and MD, Ford India.
The paint facility at Sanand will use Ford's innovative three-wet paint process that allows three coats of paint to be applied and dried simultaneously. The energy efficient process significantly reduces wastage, energy consumption and helps in lowering paint shop carbon-dioxide emissions by up to 25 percent.
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