Ford India Come Back Confirmed? Tamil Nadu CM Leads Talks for Possible Return
Ford and the Tamil Nadu state government have been in talks for over six months, and the company is almost ready to decide on its plans for India and the future of the Maraimalainagar facility.
By Reetika Bhatt
Ford's potential return to India is gaining momentum, as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, M.K. Stalin, leads negotiations, aiming to revive the automaker's operations in the state. Ford, which ceased local manufacturing in India in 2021 due to financial losses and underwhelming sales, might reconsider its decision, spurred by talks facilitated by the Tamil Nadu government. The discussions are centred around reactivating Ford's Chennai plant, a key industrial hub, and leveraging India's growing automotive market. If successful, the move could cause Ford’s return to India, creating jobs and fostering economic growth. The talks signal a potential boost for the state's industrial ecosystem, while also in line with India's plan to become a global automotive manufacturing hub.
Tamil Nadu CM-Ford Officials Meet: Key Points
According to reports, Ford and the state government have been in talks for over six months, and the company is almost ready to decide on its plans for India and the future of the Maraimalainagar facility. The TN government has encouraged Ford Motor Company to renew its three-decade collaboration with Tamil Nadu by restarting operations at this facility near Chennai.
During the meeting with corporate leaders, Stalin – who is visiting the US for two weeks – asked the manufacturer to expand its global technology centre in Chennai. According to a government statement, he invited senior executives from IT Serve Alliance, a leading consortium of IT service firms for small and medium businesses in the U.S., to explore new investment opportunities in Tamil Nadu. He met senior executives in Chicago, including Dr. Sripath Pat, Ford India's Director of Government Affairs, Vice President Matthew Kotlowski, and Kay Hart, President of Ford's International Market Group. Later, Stalin in his tweet on X said, 'Had a very engaging discussion with the team from Ford Motors! Explored the feasibility of renewing Ford’s three-decade partnership with Tamil Nadu to again Make in Tamil Nadu for the world!'
The meeting with the Tamil Nadu CM came after the company executives previously met officials from the Industries Department. For those unaware, Ford left India in July 2022 after closing the Maraimalai Nagar facility due to losses and a slump in the passenger vehicle industry following COVID-19.
Also Read: Ford Raptor T1+ Race Truck Debuts with V8 Engine at Goodwood FoS; To Enter Dakar in 2025
Several market reports also claim that Ford's India 2.0 strategy is expected to involve both export-focused manufacturing and local market assembly. Initially, the Maraimalainagar plant may be used primarily as an export-oriented facility, with a focus on assembling electric vehicles (EVs) for the Southeast Asian market.
