Ford, having exited the Indian market in 2021, is now strategically expanding its presence in the country with a different focus. Instead of automotive manufacturing, Ford is concentrating on the development of electric vehicle (EV) applications for its global EV platforms.
“We’re building and designing new manufacturing lines for electric vehicles in Chennai which will use VR/AR to model and simulate assembly line flow and this is being done for our new EV platform manufacturing,” said Mike Amend, Chief Enterprise Tech Officer of Ford Motor Company.
Expansion Plans in Chennai Tech Hub
The company is set to bolster its Chennai tech hub, planning to hire an additional 3,000 employees in the next two to three years. Currently, the Chennai hub accommodates 12,000 employees and is playing a pivotal role in designing and building new manufacturing lines for EVs. The teams in Chennai utilize cutting-edge technologies like virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) to model and simulate assembly line flows for the new EV platform manufacturing. This involves tasks such as creating floor plans, managing material flow, setting up assembly lines, and organizing tool stations.
Focus on EV-Related Capabilities
Ford emphasizes the significant role of the Chennai teams in expanding its EV-related capabilities. The teams handle various consumer-facing software aspects related to EVs, including vehicle theft, charging solutions, Ford Pro commercial vehicle fleet management, vehicle health surveys, and vehicle uptime monitoring. The company plans to further enhance these capabilities and add more EV-related work in Chennai.
Investment Strategy and Future Plans
As part of its investment strategy, Ford has already invested around $250 million in the Chennai center over the past five years. The company aims to continue this momentum by focusing on EV-related capabilities such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, customer relationship management, digital commerce, data analytics, cybersecurity solutions, and general software development.
