US automobile major Ford is set to inaugurate its second manufacturing facility in India at Sanand, Gujarat. The Chief Minister of Gujarat, Anandiben Patel is likely to inaugurate the newly built plant on March 26.

"The plant will be inaugurated by the chief minister of Gujarat on March 26. We have invited her and the confirmation is awaited. The inauguration will take place in presence of the US Ambassador to India, Richard Rahul Verma," informed a Ford India official.

The inauguration will mark the beginning of the operations at the plant, built at the approximate cost of US $ 1 bullion (around Rs 6,000 crore).

Having the total installed capacity of 2.4 lakh vehicles and 2.7 lakh engines per annum, the company will look at the market conditions before deciding on the initial production, informed the official.

The plant, located near Tata Motor's Nano car factory, was recently visited by the US Secretary of State John Kerry during his Gujarat tour to attend the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit in January. Kerry had explained Ford's investment in the state as a sign of transformation of growing economic ties between the two nations. 

With commissioning of the Sanand facility, Ford India's total installed capacity in the country would almost double. The company has the existing facility at Chennai. 

Ford plans to use the Gujarat plant for exports to Asian markets, besides catering to the local demand. Speaking at Indian School of Business (ISB) in Hyderabad on February 23, the US Ambassador, Verma mentioned that the Sanand facility gives the iconic US company a platform in Asia which is not only good for workers in Gujarat, but also for workers in Detroit and beyond. 

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