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Force Motors has commissioned a new engine plant at Chakan near Pune to exclusively meet the needs of Mercedes Benz India.
It was inaugurated on Wednesday by Maharashtra Chief Minster Devendra Fadnavis, who was accompanied by Minister of State for Environment Prakash Javadekar.
The ₹100-crore plant is part of the ₹700-crore earmarked by Force Motors for products and investments in its business verticals over the next two years.
It houses eight lines for 14 engine variants, including the four-cylinder and six-cylinder V-type petrol/diesel fitted in Mercedes’ range of cars and SUVs.
The plant has an annual capacity of 20,000 engines/axles.
According to a press release, the new facility carries forward the 45-year-long association between Force Motors and Mercedes Benz.
The company has been the preferred partner for producing engines for all Mercedes cars and SUVs made in India since 1997.
This portfolio has now grown to include the front and rear axles.
Thus far, over 60,000 engines and 50,000 axles have been supplied to Mercedes.
Prasan Firodia, Managing Director, Force Motors, said the facility was commissioned seven months after conceiving the plan.
He said capacity at Chakan could be increased if so required.
For Force Motors, this is the second critical mandate received from a top German car brand.
In July 2015, it had commissioned an engine plant near Chennai to cater to BMW.
It now remains to be seen if Force Motors’ role with these two companies will be extended to other emerging markets in ASEAN and Africa.
These are as price-sensitive as India, where carmakers need to constantly keep costs in check, while delivering value-for-money products.
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