The new engine assembly plant at Force Motors’ facility in Chengalpattu, Chennai, has now become operational. The plant was inaugurated yesterday in the presence of the Union Cabinet Minister for heavy industries and public sector enterprises, Anant Geete.
Work on the plant had commenced in June 2014, with a Rs 200 crore investment from Force Motors. With a capacity to assemble 20,000 engines a year, this plant is the only such facility for BMW Group, outside of Germany. The plant will produce four and six-cylinder engines for seven BMW models sold in India, according to the German car manufacturer’s global guidelines and standards. BMW recently decreased the prices of a number of locally assembled cars, to reflect the increase in the localisation in these models.
Force Motors says that the capacity can be increased to 50,000 engines per annum, depending upon the demand. Commenting on the new plant, Mr Prasan Firodia, managing director, Force Motors said, “This is an important milestone in the company’s journey. We envision this facility as being instrumental in further establishing Force Motors’ strengths as a preferred supplier of critical and high precision components to top European brands.”
