During the meeting he informed her that the car major Ford India had decided to infuse fresh investments to the tune of 750 crore rupees into its car manufacturing plant in Tamilnadu.With this, Ford's investment would be of the order of 1,130 crore rupees after the government headed by Ms Jayalalithaa assumed office in May last.

Ford had set up its first unit in Chennai in 1995 during the earlier tenure of Ms Jayalalithaa as Chief Minister. This was the first major investment by a foreign company in Tamil Nadu in the Automotive Sector. It triggered an automobile revolution in the State, earning Chennai the sobriquet of 'Detroit of India'.

Ford has so far invested 4,500 crore rupees in its Assembly and Engine Plants and employs more than 5,000 people. This includes an investment of 380 crore rupees after the present government assumed office in May last year, providing additional employment opportunities for 340 people.

Ford has been growing at a steady pace of more than 15 per cent annually from the inception.

Ford India currently operates its modern, integrated manufacturing facility at Maraimalai Nagar, where it produces the Ford Figo, Ford Fiesta Classic, Ford Endeavour and the recently launched All-New Fiesta.

Ford India President and Managing Director Michael Boneham, who met the  Chief Minister Jayalalithaa at the State Secretariat today informed her that Ford India had decided to make a further investment of 750 crore rupees in the existing Maraimalai Nagar Plant to produce their new model Ford Eco Sport. 

This would create additional employment opportunities for about 400 people.

Including this investment, Ford's investment will be of the order of 1,130 crore rupees after the government headed by Ms Jayalalithaa assumed office in May last.

Boneham thanked Ms Jayalalithaa for the pioneering role played by her in attracting investments of Ford and for the continued support of the State Government.

He told the Chief Minister that, taking note of the excellent investment climate prevailing in Tamil Nadu,many more American firms were looking at Tamil Nadu for investment opportunities.

The Chief Minister thanked  Boneham for reposing confidence in the Government headed by her and assured him of continued support from her Government.

Ford has also set up its Global Business Service Centres in Chennai and Coimbatore, which between themselves employ more than 5,000 people, many of them young women.