Ford EV Car: Ford Motor Company is exploring the possibility of producing electric vehicles (EVs) at its Tamil Nadu, South India plant, as part of its strategy to re-enter the Indian car market.
According to media reports, the automaker is in discussions with the Tamil Nadu state government, three years after announcing the closure of its local manufacturing operations.
However, a final decision on which models Ford will make in India has yet to be made. Tamil Nadu Industry Minister T.R.B. Raja indicated in an interview with the news agency that EV production is likely to occur.
Raja said that recent investors in the state have focused on electric vehicle lines. He said that “the ecosystem is ripe” for such ventures. Talks between Ford and the state government are reportedly in line with this trend.
Ford’s new interest comes at a time when India is stepping up efforts to promote its electric vehicle industry. The report said that Ford sent a letter of intent to the Tamil Nadu government in September outlining its plan to use its Chennai plant for export-oriented manufacturing. The move puts Ford among many domestic and international automakers, including Tata Motors and Vietnamese firm VinFast, that are investing heavily in Tamil Nadu’s fast-growing EV manufacturing sector.
The Indian government has also taken steps to attract foreign investment in the electric vehicle sector. Earlier this year, it reduced import duties for automakers willing to invest at least $500 million in the country. Tamil Nadu has emerged as a key player in India’s EV drive. Its strategic location and growing industrial base are attracting global manufacturers.
Ford, which currently employs 12,000 employees in global operations in Tamil Nadu, expects to increase its workforce by about 3,000 in the next three years, according to a recent company statement. The potential expansion underscores Ford’s commitment to capitalising on India’s growing automotive market, particularly the fast-growing EV segment.