LAST CAR from Ford India plant: One of most popular model EcoSport rolled out from Maraimalai Nagar in TN
Automaker Ford rolled out the last car from its Tamil Nadu manufacturing plant, which will be shut down this month as part of a restructuring exercise. The facility at Maraimalai Nagar was up and running for more than 25 years, and is facing closure as the Indian subsidiary would be shutting down operations at its facilities in Sanand, Gujarat and Maraimalai Nagar, Tamil Nadu, "as part of a restructuring exercise" of Ford India. Source: Ford India/Twitter
Ford India Chennai Plant
The Chennai factory is on the verge of closure as discussions for taking over the facility by another automaker are yet to materialise. Tata Motors had announced the signing of a tripartite agreement with Ford and the Gujarat government to acquire the American auto major's vehicle manufacturing unit in Sanand. Source: Twitter
Ford EcoSport
On Wednesday, videos and images surfaced on social media of a white colour Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) 'EcoSport', one of Ford's popular models, decorated with flowers, was seen rolling out from the assembly line as employees were seen standing adjacent to it at the factory. Source: Ford India/Twitter
Ford EcoSport Aftersales
The SUV was the last to be rolled out from the assembly line and the company would continue production of aftersales parts till month-end, a company official said on Thursday. Source: Ford India/Twitter
Ford Employees
The news about the closure of the plant did not augur well with the representatives of the Chennai Ford Employees Union who resorted to protests in 2021 soon after the company announced its decision to close down the manufacturing facilities in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu. The employees once again resumed their protests in May this year seeking a better severance package. Source: Reuters
Ford EV Plans
Ford has shelved plans to manufacture electric vehicles in India for exports despite getting approval from the government for production-linked incentives. Source: Twitter