[TusharK]

According to a media report, the Tata Group could acquire Ford's manufacturing unit near Chennai.



Tata Group Chairman N Chandrasekaran recently met Chief Minister MK Stalin to discuss the planned takeover. Reports suggest that Stalin had requested the Tata Group to consider buying out the Ford factory, following the American automaker's exit from the Indian market.

Last month, Ford announced that it would stop manufacturing vehicles in India. The carmaker has invested about $2.5 billion in Chennai and Sanand plants.

It has been reported that MG Motor is also interested in acquiring Ford India's assets.

Source: DT Next

Link to Team-BHP News

[Ritz2010]

Wow that will be awesome to have TATA owning a plant in Chennai than anyone else. I hope this comes true. TATA is becoming saviour for every industry - last week it was airlines news that came out and this week the Ford plant.

Direct and Indirect jobs are aplenty - hope it all turns out to be true unlike earlier rumours aka marketing gimmick.

[srvm]

In 2008, when Tata Motors bought JLR from Ford, apparently Bill Ford said this this to Ratan Tata: "You are doing us a big favour by buying JLR".

If Tata goes on to acquire Ford's Chennai plant, it is going to be deja vu!

[BoneCollector]

That's a great news if it turns out to be true. I hope they also take the workforce of Ford along with the factory.

In my dreams, I would also like Ford to handover the production of Endeavor to Tata, lock stock and barrel. That would be simply mind blowing! Just imagine, they would have a niche product over the Safari. No need to launch a 4WD or AWD Safari. Just move on with the Endeavor placed over the Safari in their line-up.

[Sebring]

These guys just confirmed it. Tata Buy Buy!

[CARDEEP]

Sensible move by State CM MK Stalin. Good for state & workers as they may be assured of continuity of jobs. This deal will be easy & faster to be approved by Central Government as compared to MG's takeover.

As the bigger dealers have moved one, I feel the smaller dealers may also be looking for some auto majors for restarting sales & support.

I bet this can help save major share of jobs lost & minimal employees movement due to uncertainty.

[DicKy]

Buying JLR then, now news of Tata buying Ford's plant.

Oh, Ford junior. Should have used words wisely that day.

Welcome step if Tata does manage to buy Ford's plant. Sriperumbudur belt is vital and a big factory laying idle won't do good for the workforce, or the surrounding industries or for business friendly image.

Anyday preferable to a Chinese company taking over IMO.

[ashis89]

I have a different view. Does Tata really need an extra car factory right now?

Not very long ago, Tata's existing factories were running much below their full capacity. Even though their monthly sales have increased remarkably, are they utilising their full production capacity right now? Or do they have enough products in pipeline and forecasts that they would need extra capacity in future?

IMO, they shouldn't buy something just for the sake of buying or for proving it to someone.

[Desi Dybuk]

Shouldn't Tata instead focus on getting the Ford's ultra modern Sanand plant instead of the decades old Chennai plant? They already have their supplier base in Gujarat & it would be an easy addition to their capacity in that state. Why go for an older plant?

[Nikhil Beke]

This just shows the newfound confidence of Tata motors in recent years. Hopefully, this would translate into better engines, better fit and finish with better QC- and possibly may accelerate EV plans.
But agree Sanand could have been a better acquisition.

[akshay380]

Originally Posted by ashis89

I have a different view. Does Tata really need an extra car factory right now?

Not very long ago, Tata's existing factories were running much below their full capacity. Even though their monthly sales have increased remarkably, are they utilising their full production capacity right now? Or do they have enough products in pipeline and forecasts that they would need extra capacity in future?

IMO, they shouldn't buy something just for the sake of buying or for proving it to someone.

Tata plans to start third shift at Pune plant so good chance they could be reaching capacity.

[Bibendum90949]

Tata was quietly waiting for the big billion day sale to kick in

[kiku007]

Originally Posted by Desi Dybuk

Shouldn't Tata instead focus on getting the Ford's ultra modern Sanand plant instead of the decades old Chennai plant? They already have their supplier base in Gujarat & it would be an easy addition to their capacity in that state. Why go for an older plant?

+1.

I was betting that the Hyundai-KIA group will be the natural suitor for Ford's Chennai plant.

Mahindra has their R&D centre (or something) on the same road as Ford's plant. I'll be interested to know what synergy Tata Motors has.

Several times in the past, the Tata group has bit more than what they can chew and I hope the supposed takeover of Air India and Ford's Chennai plant are driven by sense and not pride.

In any case, I hope this works out well for the employees and the community around the plant.

[fazayal]

Originally Posted by Desi Dybuk

Why go for an older plant?

They probably want a footprint in South India?

[amvj]

This should give some respite to the employees in the Ford Chennai plant. Mahindra should buy the Sanand plant since they are already in bottleneck with Thar and XUV700 deliveries.