Force Motors Rolls Out 200,000th Mercedes-Benz Engine from Pune Facility

Pune, India, June 18, 2026: Force Motors Limited has achieved a major manufacturing milestone with the rollout of its 200,000th Mercedes-Benz engine from its state-of-the-art engine manufacturing facility in Chakan, Pune. The achievement highlights nearly three decades of collaboration between Force Motors and Mercedes-Benz and reinforces India’s growing role in global automotive manufacturing.

The landmark 200,000th engine, a 6-cylinder M256 powertrain, has been installed in a Mercedes-Benz GLS 450, symbolising the strength of one of India’s longest-standing automotive manufacturing partnerships.

Force Motors and Mercedes-Benz Partnership Reaches Major Milestone

The engine manufacturing association between Force Motors and Mercedes-Benz dates back to 1997 and has since evolved into a comprehensive partnership encompassing the production of engines and axles for all Mercedes-Benz cars and SUVs manufactured in India.

The milestone celebration was attended by senior leadership from both organisations, including Prasan Firodia, Managing Director of Force Motors, alongside key members of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG.

The visiting Mercedes-Benz delegation included:

• Dr. Joerg Burzer, Chief Technology Officer, Development & Procurement
• Michael Schiebe, Production, Quality & Supply Chain Management
• Mathias Geisen, Sales & Customer Experience

They were joined by Santosh Iyer, Managing Director & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India, Vyankatesh Kulkarni, Executive Director & Head of Operations, Mercedes-Benz India, and Prashant Inamdar, Executive Director – Operations, Force Motors Limited.

Chakan Facility Built to Global Mercedes-Benz Standards

Speaking on the occasion, Prasan Firodia, Managing Director of Force Motors, described the achievement as a testament to the enduring trust and engineering excellence shared between the two companies.

“As Mercedes-Benz continues to expand its presence in India, Force Motors remains committed to supporting its growth through best-in-class manufacturing and operational excellence,” he said.

Firodia added that the Chakan facility was purpose-built to meet Mercedes-Benz’s stringent global manufacturing standards, with every engine reflecting the company’s commitment to engineering precision and quality.

“The 200,000th engine is more than a production milestone; it represents a partnership built on trust, precision and shared purpose,” he noted.

Strengthening India’s Position in Global Automotive Manufacturing

The achievement also highlights the success of Indo-German industrial collaboration and showcases India’s capabilities in producing world-class automotive components for premium global brands.

Over the years, the Force Motors-Mercedes-Benz partnership has played a significant role in elevating manufacturing standards within India’s automotive sector, contributing to the country’s emergence as a key production hub for luxury vehicles.

Industry observers view the milestone as a strong endorsement of India’s manufacturing ecosystem, particularly as global automotive companies increasingly seek reliable, high-quality, and cost-efficient production bases.

Supporting the ‘Make in India’ Vision

The Chakan facility’s achievement aligns closely with India’s ‘Make in India’ initiative by demonstrating how advanced engineering, global quality standards, and local manufacturing expertise can successfully coexist.

As the automotive industry undergoes rapid transformation driven by electrification, digitisation, and evolving supply chains, Force Motors’ ability to deliver German-engineered quality from India positions the company as an important player in the global automotive manufacturing landscape.

Key Highlights

• Force Motors rolls out its 200,000th Mercedes-Benz engine from Chakan, Pune.
• The milestone engine is a 6-cylinder M256 unit fitted to a Mercedes-Benz GLS 450.
• Partnership between Force Motors and Mercedes-Benz dates back to 1997.
• Force Motors manufactures engines and axles for Mercedes-Benz vehicles produced in India.
• Senior Mercedes-Benz Group AG board members attended the milestone event.
• Achievement highlights India’s growing importance in global automotive manufacturing.
• Milestone reinforces the success of Indo-German industrial collaboration.
• Supports India’s ‘Make in India’ manufacturing vision.