Discussions Ongoing Between Ford Motors And Tamil Nadu Govt To Turn Chennai Plant Into EV Export Hub

The Tamil Nadu state government is conducting exploratory discussions with Ford Motors to repurpose its plant in Chennai to manufacture and export electric vehicles (EVs).

"We're constantly in discussions with Ford on all matters, including the plan for electric vehicles. We're very hopeful they will repurpose the plant for EVs," a senior official from the industry department of the state told The Economic Times (ET).

Meanwhile, an executive from Ford also confirmed that they have set up a mechanism to provide consistent updates to the state government.

Earlier, Ford had explained to ET that it was exploring the possibility of making use of its "plant in India as an export base for EV manufacturing."

Another senior executive said that the automaker was working on its plans for its factories in India. It is considering all options, including that of EVs for the same.

The concerned Ford plant has reportedly drawn interest from companies like Mahindra & Mahindra, Ola.

The state government has also hosted other interested suitors in the plant to sustain the jobs of around 2,600 people employed there.

Ford had exited the Indian market in September 2021. Still, it has emerged as one of the several companies to have qualified to receive the benefits of the government's performance-linked incentive (PLI) scheme for EVs.