Pune based Force Motors has proposed to setup a new manufacturing facility in Chengelpet, Tamil Nadu that will produce engines and gearbox components for automobiles. The company informed the Bombay Stock Exchange about its plans and was waiting to receive the necessary approvals from the authorities. The plant will also have a testing facility, which is being setup for a new OEM customer.
While Force Motors has not revealed who the new OEM manufacturer will be, unconfirmed reports suggest that the facility will be utilised to manufacture engines for German auto giant BMW. This could result in BMW cars getting cheaper and the Bavarian automaker could consider manufacturing vehicles in India in the distant future. The new plant will start operations in early 2015 with Force Motors investing a sum of Rs. 100 crores in the plant. If the BMW tie-up does come through, this will be Force Motors second partnership with a luxury car maker. The company currently assembles engines for Mercedes-Benz at its facility in Pune.
Force Motors manufactures a range of small commercial vehicles, light commercial vehicles, multi-utility vehicles and tractors. The company recently ventured into the mainstream passenger vehicle market as well with the Force One SUV that is powered by a Mercedes sourced 2.2-litre 4-cylinder engine that produces 141 PS of power and 320 Nm of torque. Force Motors retails the Gurkha extreme off-roader in the country which also uses a Mercedes sourced 2.6-litre engine producing 82 PS of power and 230 Nm of torque.
Source – Autocar Professional
