Ford to roll out SUV from Chennai facility

US carmaker Ford will roll out its first India-made compact Sports Utility Vehicle 'Ecosport' early next year from its manufacturing facility near Chennai.

This was revealed by top Ford officials when they called on Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on Monday to invite her to launch the vehicle scheduled to be rolled out in February or March next year, a Tamil Nadu government statement said.

Early this year, Ford displayed SUV-Ecosport at the Auto Expo held in New Delhi.

Ford Motor Company (Asia Pacific) president Joe Hinrichs, Ford India, president and managing director Michael Boneham and Ford Business Services, executive director, Joginder Singh informed the chief minister the company would recruit more than 1,200

people within a year, across its Chennai and Coimbatore centres.

Ford India manufactures and distributes automobiles and engines from its manufacturing facility at Maraimalai Nagar, near Chennai.

The company's models include the hatcback Figo, mid-size sedan Ford Classic, premium SUV Endeavour and premium sedan global Fiesta.

Ford India's operations also include business services, comprising Ford Business Services Centre and Ford Technology Services.

These centres are located in Chennai, New Delhi and Coimbatore and support Ford globally in the areas of IT, accounting and finance, among others.

At present, Ford India employs 5,200 people at its manufacturing facility and business services division.