M&M inaugurates new auto plant at Chakan

Mumbai: Maharashtra chief minister Ashok Chavan today inaugurated auto maker Mahindra & Mahindra's new manufacturing plant in the industrial hub of Chakan in Maharashtra.

The plant, which was completed  within 22 months has a  phased investment of approximately Rs5,000 crore, spread across 700 acres, will have an installed capacity of 3 lakh vehicles, which will eventually be scaled up to meet global demand.

The Chakan plant will manufacture Mahindra's range of products from the 0.75-tonne Maxximo to the 49-tonne Mahindra Navistar truck, including M&M's new SUV and Pik-Up range and product line for the US market. It has been designed to maintain flexiblility to accommodate production of other models as required by future market requirements.

''The Chakan story is characterised by the zeal, passion and commitment to create a factory of the future, a facility which will set new benchmarks in manufacturing excellence," said Anand Mahindra, vice chairman and managing director, Mahindra Group.

Mahindra added, "This is clearly evident in its sheer scale and innovative manufacturing processes which is in line with Mahindra's vision to emerge as a leading full range player with the ability to compete against the best on the global automotive stage."

The plant, caled Mahindra Chakan, has been designed as a fully integrated facility for multiple different platforms from press to body to paint to General Assembly and the aggregates all coming up simultaneously.