Make in India gets boost as Force Motors rolls out 200,000th Mercedes-Benz engine from Pune facility
New Delhi, June 17
In a significant boost to the 'Make in India' initiative and Indo-German manufacturing collaboration, Force Motors on Wednesday announced the roll-out of the 200,000th Mercedes-Benz engine from its advanced manufacturing facility in Chakan, Pune.
The milestone highlights nearly three decades of manufacturing partnership between Force Motors and Mercedes-Benz and underscores India's growing role as a global hub for high-precision automotive production.
The landmark 200,000th unit, a six-cylinder M256 engine, has been fitted in a Mercedes-Benz GLS 450.
The association between Force Motors and Mercedes-Benz in engine manufacturing dates back to 1997 and has since evolved into a comprehensive partnership.
Today, Force Motors manufactures engines and axles for all Mercedes-Benz cars and SUVs produced in India, adhering to the German automaker's stringent global quality standards.
Senior executives from Mercedes-Benz India, including Managing Director and CEO Santosh Iyer and Executive Director and Head of Operations Vyankatesh Kulkarni, also attended the event alongside officials from Force Motors.
Speaking on the occasion, Prasan Firodia said the milestone reflects a partnership built on trust, precision and a shared commitment to manufacturing excellence.
"As Mercedes-Benz continues to expand its presence in India, Force Motors remains committed to supporting its growth through best-in-class manufacturing and contributing to the production of world-class automotive components in India," Firodia said.
Industry observers view the Force Motors-Mercedes-Benz partnership as one of the most successful examples of Indo-German industrial cooperation.
The collaboration has played an important role in raising the standards of automotive manufacturing in India while demonstrating the country's capability to deliver globally competitive engineering and production quality.
The milestone comes at a time when global supply chains are increasingly prioritising reliability, quality and localisation.
Force Motors' ability to manufacture German-quality engines in India aligns closely with the government's vision of strengthening domestic manufacturing under the 'Make in India' programme and positioning the country as a preferred destination for advanced industrial production.
The roll-out of the 200,000th engine is being seen as a testament to India's growing manufacturing prowess and its ability to support global automotive brands through high-quality, technology-driven production capabilities.
— IANS
Reader Comments
As an engineer, this is impressive. The M256 is a complex six-cylinder engine with advanced technology. The fact that Force Motors can produce these to Mercedes' exacting standards shows how far Indian manufacturing has come.
But does this really help Indian consumers? These engines end up in luxury cars that most Indians can't afford. I wish we'd see more of this technology transferred to affordable vehicles. Still, good for jobs and skills development in Pune.
Having visited the Chakan plant, I can vouch for the quality standards. It's world-class! This partnership since 1997 shows long-term commitment. Make in India isn't just about assembling phones - it's about high-precision manufacturing like this. 👏
My father worked at Force Motors for 20 years. He always said the company's engineering culture is top-notch. This milestone validates what many of us knew - Indian engineers can match global standards when given the right training and infrastructure.
It's interesting to see the global shift. With supply chain disruptions everywhere, having a reliable production base in India makes economic sense. This kind of Indo-German collaboration shows how manufacturing is becoming more localized.
R Rajesh Q Honestly, I want to We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.