The Hindu Business Line : Ford plans capacity expansion at Chennai facility

Mumbai, Sept. 13 Ford India has plans to expand production capacity at its Chennai plant. According to Mr Scott McCormack, Vice-President, marketing and sales, the existing facility has a capacity of 65,000 units on an annual basis; the company is now considering to expand it to 100,000 units as more product projects and segments are being evaluated by the top management.

Though investment figures were not disclosed, Mr McCormack said the investments would include certain figs and fixtures and other tools to be incorporated in the existing facility. He did not disclose any time frame for production expansion either.

Production expansion is primarily being considered to cater to the domestic market. The company sold 50,000 units last year. With product projects underway, Mr McCormack is of the opinion that this figure is likely to grow further. Ford India is evaluating certain growing segments right now and when asked if these included segments like the D1 segment (comprising the Skoda Octavia, Toyota Corolla, Chevrolet Optra), he did not comment. However, he did say that it was one of the promising segments present in the market today.

The company’s plan to expand its capacity to 100,000 units is an intermediary plan to augment certain segments that it is currently evaluating; which includes the small car segment. But for that particular segment, Mr McCormack said when the company concludes its feasibility study on the segment; if found viable, the company may envisage an additional 100,000 units production expansion.

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