Ford India to build engines locally

Ford Motor Co.’s India unit plans to build engines locally for some models that it will introduce in the next few years, as the company seeks to keep vehicle costs low in a bid to capture a greater share of the highly competitive Indian auto market. Ford India Pvt. Ltd. also plans to increase its engine exports to Thailand, its manufacturing hub for southeast Asia, to meet demand in that region, President Michael Boneham said in a recent interview. Expanding its engine portfolio is part of Ford’s plans to consolidate its position in one of the world’s fastest growing automobile markets. In August, the company said it would launch eight models in various passenger vehicle segments in India by 2015 to take on big local players, such as Maruti Suzuki (India) Ltd. and global rivals like General Motors Co., Hyundai Motor Co. and Volkswagen AG. (January 26, 2011)