[troublemaker]

I have heard some news articles about Ford & Hyundai thinking about opening new plants in Gujarat.

Ford has selected a place near Sanand (near Tata Nano plant).

Is there any more information available on this?

[avishar]

Ford has just said they are considering Gujarat as a possible place for its next plant,not confirmed.
Dont know about hyundai though,where did you get that news?

[narchennai]

I dont think Ford and Hyundai will move out of Tamil Nadu, the reason being Hyundai donated 100no.s Hyundai Accent CRDI to TamilNadu Police on 2007 and in turn got Seven years leverage and Port handling charges absolutely FREE for all imports and Exports thro Chennai Port Trust. That was when T.R.Baalu (TamilNadu) was the Union Shipping Minister.

Ford India is also working on the same pattern alike Hyundai and anything like these Freebies to Government should happen on 2011 (When there is a change of Guard in the State with the assembly elections).

[p'arth]

^^ FYI the thread is about setting up of new plants. No one is going to move out of existing investments.

[aargee]

There're enough rooms for lots of rumours; but if its true, they're doing a good choice on the state next to TN. But why would Hyundai move away from TN; IMO, the Govt of TN will only be happy to find another suitable plant for them in & around Chennai.

Originally Posted by troublemaker

I have heard some news articles

Mind sharing the source of news pls?

[narchennai]

So the title shouldnt say coming, going or moving. It should have been exploring for New plants. And also Hyundai is to set up a engine plant by investing approx.$550 million in 2013, but I think that New Engine plant should be close to the present manufacturing and assembling plant for ease of logistics and operations.

Mods please change the Title

[p'arth]

^^ The title nowhere suggests moving existing plants. As an example if we make a statement "Porche coming to India" it does not mean Porche will close existing plants and setup new in India.

Also the text of the first post says "opening new plants in Gujarat". Hope you had read this before posting

[avishar]

@troublemaker I found these new articles

CHENNAI: In the wake of reports about Ford India and Hyundai Motor India planning to set up their second plants in Gujarat, Cuddalore MP K S Alagiri has written to Union minister of commerce and industry Anand Sharma seeking the Centre's intervention to stop the companies from moving out of Tamil Nadu.

Alagiri told TOI, "I handed over the letter to Sharma on Wednesday and asked him to intervene and stop the units from moving out of Tamil Nadu. Sharma has promised to speak to the companies." Accusing Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi of starting a rat race by luring the Tatas to set up the Nano plant and now trying to lure Hyundai and Ford, Alagiri said, "In future, Modi will also lure software units from Bangalore to shift base to Gujarat."

Officials of the companies are expected to participate in the Vibrant Gujarat meet in Hyderabad on December 3, where a proposal for expansion is likely to be discussed. "The companies are blaming labour and power problems as reasons for taking investments out of Tamil Nadu and setting up units in Gujarat. These are not problems which cannot be solved," Alagiri pointed out.

AHMEDABAD: Car maker Ford India is understood to be in discussion with the Gujarat government to set up its second manufacturing plant in the country, as it gears up to introduce eight new products by 2015.

Officials from the state government and the company are likely to meet next week to discuss setting up a plant in the state, government sources said here.

"Gujarat government has invited officials of Ford India for a meeting in Hyderabad on the sidelines of its roadshow on December 3. They are likely to explore possibility of the company setting up a plant in Gujarat," a state industry department official, who asked not to be identified, said.

When contacted, Ford India President and Managing Director Michael Boneham declined to confirm the development.

"We had announced to launch eight models in India in the next five year. Accordingly, we will expand our capacities and we are exploring various options, but nothing has been finalised."

"All the names of locations that are being mentioned at present are speculative. We will announce when a decision is finalised," Boneham told PTI.

In August, Ford had announced to launch eight new models in India by 2015 in a bid to tap the burgeoning domestic car market, which is over 15 lakh units annually.

The introduction of the new vehicles would be a part of the company's plan to bring more products from its global portfolio and other Asia Pacific and African markets.

Ford India had earlier this year introduced a small car 'Figo', which has seen sales of over 50,000 units so far.

The company has already invested USD 500 million to expand its production capacity to two lakh units annually at the Chennai facility. It also has an engine manufacturing unit, with an installed annual capacity of 2.5 lakh units.

Ford has so far invested over USD 1 billion in India in the last one decade.

[mallumowgli]

Hyundai after all is not going to move out of Chennai. Here is a news article in today's Business Line.

Hyundai plans major expansion in TN; to invest Rs 1,500 crore

Chennai, Jan. 11

Hyundai Motor India will submit a Rs 1,500-crore expansion plan to the Tamil Nadu Government later this week, according to reliable sources.

Confirming the development, the State Industries Secretary, Mr Rajeev Ranjan, said the Korean car company, which had been planning a Rs 500-crore investment in a diesel engine plant, had decided to go for a bigger expansion in Tamil Nadu.

To seek sops

While the details of the expansion plan are awaited, the company is likely to put up one more production line and other related infrastructure. Hyundai Motor will seek a package of incentives available under the State Government's industrial policy for super mega investments in automobile projects. Hyundai Motor has been in discussions with the State Government on a range of issues relating to the proposal over the last one month. All of these have been resolved and a final proposal is expected by the weekend from the company, Mr Ranjan said.

Hyundai Motor's production facility at Sriperumbudur, about 30 km west of Chennai, has a capacity of over six lakh units annually, making it the second largest car manufacturer in the country. With 40 per cent of its production despatched to 120 countries, Hyundai is the largest car exporter.

The planned expansion will take Hyundai's capacity to about a million units.

Looks like a heavy duty expansion project.

[SankalpDesai]

Just came across this piece of information -

Ford zeroes in on land for Sanand plant

So, Gujarat seems to be in Top Gear in attracting Investment from various Auto companies. After Tata Motors it is Ford. Rumours of Hyundai, Maruti and Hero Moto are also rife.

Good going Gujarat.

[jk007]

Amazed, the way Gujarat has been wooing top corporates to the state. Hope the other state governments learn from the good states that promote development.

[SunilM]

After Tata Motors and Maruti, there are also news of and on about Peugeot, Hero Honda and Hyundai being wooed by the state government. They are in various stages of negotiations. Though some of these may not see the light of the day, we sure need to applaud the intentions, at least they are trying. Great news for Gujarat and Ahmedabad!

Business Line : Companies News : Ford plans for Gujarat plant in final stage

[volkman10]

Ford narrows down on Gujarat for their second plant.

"According to reports, Ford India's proposed site is likely to be next to Tata Nano's plant in Sanand and the reports quoted Gujarat government officials as saying "Ford has been in discussion with the government to set up its second car manufacturing plant at an investment of nearly Rs 5,000 crore. It has decided on 400 acres of land at Sanand for the facility.’’ The reports also mentioned that the District Collector of Ahmedabad is in the process of earmarking 400 acres of land in Sanand."

Ford likely to finalise its second plant location in Gujarat | WheelsUnplugged

Cheers!

[gshanky]

Overall the news does make sense for all auto manufacturers to have facilities in east and west coast. Hyundai is exporting to Europe and it would be easier from the west coast that east.

However there is a huge potential for the southern base of Kerala and Tamilnadu from where Traffic can move to east and west. I hope these politicians from Kerala and TN take a cue from Modi and plan some development initiatives rather than blaming modi.

[swiftnfurious]

Originally Posted by gshanky

However there is a huge potential for the southern base of Kerala and Tamilnadu from where Traffic can move to east and west. I hope these politicians from Kerala and TN take a cue from Modi and plan some development initiatives rather than blaming modi.

I seriously appreciate Modi to do the right things to bring the investment and direct & indirect jobs to Gujarat. Sure rest of the governments need to learn from him.

And yes, there are couple of states which had the advantage of having ports and those help in exports.

Kerala at least will never have any of these. BMW long time back came to Kerala to check for the land and the LDF nicely staged a protest / bandh against them on the same day they landed. BMW team packed their bags and went and found some other place. The morons will never understand how many jobs did they pack along with the delegates !