Ford Endeavour, India plans for exports, Everest launch details, affordable EV

Ford Motor recently held discussions with the Tamil Nadu government to assess producing vehicles for exports, the Chief Minister said. This is the second time officials from Ford Motor has had discussions with the Tamil Nadu government this year exploring opportunities for manufacturing, and it signals the company’s return to India, potentially for production once again, after having exited the market three years ago.

1. Ford Everest on cards for India launch as a CBU
2. All-new affordable EV platform also under development

MK Stalin, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, and his core team met a number of American companies in automotive and other sectors as part of a concerted effort to draw additional investments into the southern state, which is an automobile as well as auto component hub.

On September 11, they met Ford Motor Company, following which, MK Stalin tweeted, “Had a very engaging discussion with the team from Ford Motors! Explored the feasibility of renewing Ford’s three-decade partnership with Tamil Nadu, to again make in Tamil Nadu for the world!”

Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin with the Ford Motor Co team.

In March 2024, Ford Motor Company’s president, International Markets Group, Kay Hart, had visited India, hinting at the American brand’s comeback in the country. It is understood that a market launch of the new Everest is being closely looked at, along with a made-in-India affordable EV platform.

Ford stopped making cars in India domestically, in 2021, after grappling to bolster volumes and ceased export production in 2022. Ford sold one of the two plants in India to Tata Motors in 2023, and its other plant in Chennai was closed. Ford continues to assess viable options for its plant in Chennai, the automaker said in a statement.

Also See:

Exclusive! JLR, Tata Motors to jointly make and export EVs from India

How Tata’s first EV was conceived in just a year’s time, recalls N Chandrasekaran