Key highlights
- Force Motors has produced its 200,000th Mercedes-Benz engine in India
- 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
A major milestone has been achieved in India’s automotive manufacturing sector. Force Motors has announced the rollout of its 200,000th Mercedes-Benz engine from its Chakan manufacturing facility in Pune.
The landmark engine, a 6-cylinder M256 unit, has found its home under the hood of a Mercedes-Benz GLS 450, highlighting a partnership that has quietly powered thousands of luxury vehicles on Indian roads over the last three decades.
A partnership spanning nearly three decades
The relationship between Force Motors and Mercedes-Benz began in 1997 and has evolved significantly since then.
Today, Force Motors manufactures engines and axles for every Mercedes-Benz car and SUV produced in India. What started as a supplier relationship has grown into one of the country’s most significant automotive manufacturing collaborations.
The milestone celebration was attended by senior leadership from both companies, including members of the Mercedes-Benz Group AG Board of Management and top executives from Mercedes-Benz India and Force Motors.
Why this milestone matters
While vehicle launches often grab headlines, achievements like these showcase the strength of India’s manufacturing ecosystem.
The 200,000-engine milestone demonstrates Force Motors’ ability to consistently meet Mercedes-Benz’s stringent global quality standards while manufacturing locally under the government’s Make in India initiative.
It also reinforces India’s growing role in global automotive supply chains, especially in the premium vehicle segment where precision engineering and quality control are critical.
Force Motors’ role extends beyond Mercedes-Benz
Force Motors is no stranger to manufacturing for global automotive brands. The company also produces and tests engines for BMW vehicles manufactured in India. In fact, every BMW car and SUV assembled locally is powered by an engine produced at Force Motors’ Chennai facility.
Apart from luxury vehicle powertrains, the company operates across multiple segments, including:
- Light commercial vehicles
- Passenger vans
- Multi-utility vehicles
- Industrial engines
- Global export markets spanning more than 25 countries
Manufacturing from Chakan
The Chakan facility has been specifically developed to meet Mercedes-Benz’s global manufacturing standards.
Over the years, it has become a critical part of the German luxury carmaker’s India operations, ensuring locally produced vehicles receive world-class powertrains built to the same benchmarks as global markets.
The milestone engine itself belongs to Mercedes-Benz’s highly acclaimed M256 family, a modern six-cylinder powertrain known for its refinement, performance and efficiency.
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