13 Sept 2024
It has held multiple negotiation rounds with the Tamil Nadu government over the past six months but has yet to make a final decision.
After exiting India in 2021, Ford is planning a comeback next year. Over the past six months, it has held many discussions with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin to discuss EV and ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) vehicle production at its old Maraimalai Nagar plant just outside Chennai.
Talks of its return erupted in the market after Ford India filed for a design patent for the new Endeavour model, its bestselling product in the country. After its exit, several OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) showed interest in acquiring the plant, but nothing was finalised.
Ford left India after suffering operational losses to the tune of $2 billion in a decade. Moreover, its product strategy did not succeed with Indian consumers, who prefer smaller, fuel-efficient cars. The company could not fully utilise its manufacturing capacity, which impacted its financials, and it wanted to focus on profitable markets.