Ford once exported to growth markets from its manufacturing plant in Chennai.
Early this morning in India, Ford told employees in the Chennai plant that it is dropping plans to manufacturer EVs for export, according to Ketan Thakkar of the Economic Times.
“The company is likely to pursue its initial plans to sell its factories in Sanand, Gujarat and Chennai. The production at both the plants has stopped. While the Sanand plant sale talks with Tata Motors are progressing well, it is still pursuing multiple suitors for its Chennai factory, say people in the know,” the Economic times said. (AutoInformed: Washington Diddles. India Puts Billions into Securing EV Jobs; Ford India Stops Manufacturing Vehicles For Sale; Ford Exec Re-shuffle in Struggling India, South America, China)
In an official response as Ford’s Annual Meeting was underway in the US, Ford India’s spokesperson confirmed and said, “After careful review, we have decided to no longer pursue EV manufacturing for exports from any Indian plant.” At the Annual Meeting Bill Ford and Jim Farley fielded tough questions about its EV strategy, splitting the company into two arms and ongoing supply chain and perennial guilty problems. Ford shares are down ~40% this year. (AutoInformed: Ford Motor Blues – Q1 Loss of $3.1 Billion; Ford Motor Structure Threatens Viability. Vast Reorg Coming)
Back in India, Thakkar observed “The company was selected under the Government of India’s Production Linked Incentive Scheme to avail the benefits, but it may withdraw its application now, as it no longer will be investing in the country.”
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
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