New-look Chennai town to welcome Ford on its India comeback trail

Henry Ford Road in Maraimalai Nagar, located about 50 kilometres from Chennai, has remained quiet for the past two years since the Ford India plant ceased operations in 2022.

- SHINE JACOB

However, on Saturday, an outsider could sense a feeling of rejuvenation in the air following the company's announcement of its reopening plans.

While Ford remains the same company, Maraimalai Nagar has changed over the past two years.

Once a less-developed area on the outskirts of Chennai, it now features eight-lane roads, hotels, and cafés where there were previously only a few tea stalls. Major retail chains like Pantaloons and Trends, as well as fast-food chains such as KFC, Burger King, and McDonald's, have opened their outlets within a three-to-fivekilometre radius. Ford will be returning to a transformed Maraimalai Nagar, which now feels like Maraimalai Nagar TAMIL NADU an extension of Chennai.

From the outside, one can see housekeeping staff working at a rapid pace, likely preparing for the company's grand comeback. Security has instructed against photographing the workers inside, saying, "Only the announcement has been made. It will take at least six more months for operations to resume."

On Friday, Ford Motor Company announced plans to restart manufacturing at this factory for exports, marking the automaker's return to the Indian market after its exit announcement in September 2021.