Chennai, May 13

Ford India plans to double the output from its diesel engine plant enabling it to reach the full capacity of 60,000 units a year.

The plant, which started production last month, will give Ford India a 20 per cent cost saving and increase local content in the Fiesta to 85 per cent from 80 per cent and in the Fusion to 60 per cent from 55 per cent, according to its Managing Director, Mr Michael Boneham.

The engine plant, which makes duratorq diesel engines for Ford’s Fiesta and Fusion, will start a second shift soon.

It now makes about 100 engines a day on a single shift basis and will start a second shift doubling its daily output. This would make Ford utilise the full capacity of 60,000 units per year.

Addressing the media at the engine plant, , Mr Boneham, said the plant would enable the company to respond quickly to market preference for diesel/petrol options, efficient implementation of process improvements and improve turnaround time.

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