Ford India to invest INR 5k Cr on R&D center; Honda City-rival planned - Report

25/05/2015 - 10:36 | Ford Fiesta, Ford | Anjan Ravi

The center will also give inputs for global models.

According to a report on the Economic Times, Ford India will invest INR 4,000-5,000 crores on a new R&D center in Chennai, where its first manufacturing plant is located. The agreement with the Tamil Nadu government is likely to be signed in the next few months, the report says.

2014 Ford Fiesta Facelift Review side — A mid-size sedan to replace the Fiesta will be first on the agenda for the center.

The first project for the new Indian R&D center will be a new mid-size sedan rivaling the likes of the Honda City and Maruti Ciaz. The project, codenamed B500, will realize sometime in 2018, and the Indian R&D center is expected to play an important role in design, engineering, and development of the car. The project could also spawn an MPV, says the report.

The new center will be one of the largest product development centers for Ford in the Asia-Pacific region, and will also play a role in giving inputs for global models, one's which are not sold in India as well. It will also help in improving localization on Ford India's products.

2015 Ford C-Max facelift front three quarters at the 2014 Paris Motor Show — An MPV is one among the main products planned by Ford for the Indian market, though it remains to be seen which model is considered. Pictured here is the C-Max facelift.

Also read: India-made all-new Ford Figo unveiled for South Africa

Ford India is gearing up to launch the Figo Aspire - its first compact sedan - sometime next month. Other products lined up for launch this year include the new Endeavour (Everest) and the new Figo hatchback. The Figo twins will roll out of Ford India's newly-inaugurated plant in Sanand, Gujarat.

[Source - ETAuto]