In line with its commitment to make India a large export hub for its vehicles, Ford India will start shipping its cars made at the Sanand facility to Europe from early next year.
Speaking at the inauguration of auto component supplier, Magna International’s new seating and component plants at Sanand yesterday, Kel Kearns, director - manufacturing, Sanand vehicle assembly & engine plant, Ford India said: “The company is currently exporting to Mexico, Middle East and South Africa from the Sanand plant, and we will begin shipping cars to Europe soon."
Ford manufactures the second-generation Figo hatchback and the new Figo Aspire sedan models from its Sanand plant. Between the new Figo and the Aspire, the production capacity for domestic and exports is 240,000 units at Sanand and the company started exports in August.
Ford has invested US$ 1 billion in the Sanand plant in line with the automaker’s goal to triple exports from the country in the next five years. Ford currently exports cars to 40 countries from India.
The Sanand plant, which is spread over 460 acres, has a manufacturing capacity of 240,000 vehicles and 270,000 engines annually and is currently running at 50 jobs an hour. Now with its key component suppliers like Magna just a stone’s throw away, Ford has the right recipe to solidify its position in India as not only a big domestic player, but one of the largest car exporters from the country as well.
Ford India has exported 66,233 cars in the April-October 2015 period, registering a near-50 percent growth year on year.