Ford aims to make electric vehicles at Tamil Nadu plant

Delhi Delhi. Ford Motor Co. is exploring plans to make electric vehicles at its plant in Tamil Nadu, southern India, as it seeks to re-enter the world’s third-largest car market three years after announcing the closure of its local factories. In an interview, Tamil Nadu Industry Minister T.R.B. Raja said Ford had not yet finalised its manufacturing plans for India but suggested electric vehicles could be on the horizon. “If you look at the trend, investors who have come to Tamil Nadu in recent years have introduced their EV lines,” Raja said.

“They believe the ecosystem is ready, and discussions are underway in that direction.” Ford joins a growing list of domestic and international automakers, including Tata Motors Ltd. and Vietnamese manufacturer Vinfast Auto Ltd., that are investing billions to set up manufacturing plants in Tamil Nadu. In mid-September, Ford announced plans to use its Chennai facility for exports after sending a letter of intent to the Tamil Nadu state government. The development is in line with India’s initiative to ramp up EV manufacturing in the country. Earlier this year, the federal government cut import taxes for foreign carmakers investing up to $500 million in India. Tamil Nadu has established itself as a major manufacturing hub for EVs in the country. Currently, Ford employs 12,000 people in global business operations in Tamil Nadu, and hopes to increase this number by 3,000 jobs in the next three years, according to a company statement last month.