Force Motors has invested Rs 100 crores for starting its new engine production facility in Chakan, Pune. This new plant is a part of the Rs. 700 crore investment plan by Force Motors in a period of next two years, across its value chain for multiple products or business verticals. The new plant reportedly has a current annual production capacity of 20,000 engines and 20,000 front and rear axles. The production capacity can reportedly be increased depending on the requirement from Mercedes-Benz.
The new Force Motors Chakan facility is spread across 1, 30,000 sq.ft with eight lines that produce and test up to 14 engine variants. Strengthening its collaboration with Mercedes-Benz, the portfolio has now grown to producing the front and rear axles for all Mercedes-Benz Cars and SUVs along with the production of engines for the German automaker. The facility employs around 200 people who work in two shifts. The plant produces four-cylinder and 6 cylinder V-type petrol and diesel engines.
Reportedly, the technologically modern plant is temperature and dust controlled to ensure best in class build quality. It is stated to have modern technology which is needed for ensuring the production process with computer controlled precision equipment. The two modern hot test beds test 100 per cent of the engines produced for quality and performance.
Speaking about it, Mr. Prasan Firodia said, “The inauguration of this plant marks a significant step in our 45 year long association with Mercedes-Benz. The association with Mercedes-Benz India Car Plant alone spans over 19 years and has helped establish Force Motors’ strength as a preferred supplier of critical and high precision aggregates to leading European Luxury Brands. This new plant will help Force Motors be more flexible in terms of the production capacity demands and will enable us to continue to produce engines and axles to the exacting standards expected by Mercedes Benz globally.”
Till date Force Motors has reportedly supplied over 60,000 engines and over 50,000 axles to Mercedes-Benz India Ltd. Moving forward, owing to more localisation, we can expect to see a lower price tag for existing and upcoming models from Mercedes-Benz in India.
