Ford officials with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay at a meeting in Chennai on Monday.
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A high-level delegation from Ford Motor Company, led by Vice Chairman Mathew Godlewski, met Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Monday to discuss the revival of the company’s Maraimalai Nagar manufacturing facility, with a focus on the new engine production unit.The discussions centered on Ford’s previously announced plan to invest ₹3,250 crore in setting up next-generation powertrain manufacturing at the existing plant, a project expected to generate around 600 direct jobs.Ford is establishing what is expected to be its first powertrain manufacturing facility outside the US, at Maraimalai Nagar.Martin Everitt, Global Director, Powertrain Manufacturing Engineering at Ford Motor Company, told businessline after meeting the then Chief Minister MK Stalin in October 2025 that production was targeted to commence in 2029.Government sources on Monday said the project remains on track, with commercial production likely to begin in 2029 or 2030.Ford established its Maraimalai Nagar plant in 1999 but ceased vehicle production in 2021 amid slowing demand and regulatory challenges. In 2024, the company signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Tamil Nadu government to revive the facility. This was followed by another MoU for manufacturing next-generation powertrains at the plant.According to a government release, Chief Minister Vijay assured the Ford delegation of the State government’s full support for the project.“The government will provide all necessary cooperation for the production project that the company will soon undertake,” the release said.The Chief Minister also recalled Ford’s three-decade-long association with Tamil Nadu and urged the company to revive and expand its manufacturing operations so that the production infrastructure at Maraimalai Nagar can be fully utilised.Besides manufacturing, Ford has a significant engineering presence in the State. The company operates a large Global Capability Centre in Chennai, employing around 12,000 professionals, and has recently established another global skills centre in Coimbatore, the government said.Published on July 20, 2026
