Ford India recently began production of their popular Fiesta sedan at their high-tech passenger car plant near Chennai at Maraimalai Nagar. The 172,175 sq. m. facility is Ford sixth plant in the world that manufactures the Fiesta. Their other plants operate in Rayong, Thailand; Cuautitlán, Mexico; Valencia, Spain; Cologne, Germany; Nanjing, China.
Ford India, Managing Director and President, Michael Boneham, said that they are thrilled to witness the new world class luxury sedan from Ford being produced at the assembly line in Chennai, continuing the emergence of India as a local manufacturing centre for Ford. They are also committed to increasing their operations in the state and introduce more new models in India in future.
Ford India recently invested an additional $72mn for expanding their powertrain facility in their Maraimalai Nagar facility to support their export growth and sales plans further in India. By the time they complete their expansion programme in 2012; their capacity of powertrain production will rise to 330,000 units from the earlier 250,000 units per annum.
Their engine plant at Maraimalai Nagar will manufacturer the 1.5 litre Ti-VCT advanced petrol engine as well as the diesel Duratorq TDCi engine for the new Fiesta. These engines, known for being extremely fuel efficient and agile have helped the Fiesta achieve a fuel economy of 23.5kmpl with the diesel engine and 17kmpl with the petrol engine.
The modern Maraimalai Nagar plant uses the latest technology in auto manufacturing, automated processes and systems. The plant also includes a wholly integrated stamping line, final process and trim area and body shop. The plant’s paint shop is a first in the country featuring a Three-Step-Wet-Solids process of painting that decreases organic volatile compounds by 20%.
The launch of the new Ford Fiesta sedan in this market follows a range of global launches beginning with Europe that progressively moved the world over. Following its launch, Ford has sold around 1mn units of the Fiesta globally.