Milestone underscores over five decades of partnership between Force Motors and Mercedes-Benz
Pune/India, 17th June 2026: Force Motors Limited today announced the roll-out of the 200,000th engine from its state-of-the-art engine manufacturing facility in Chakan, Pune, marking a significant milestone in its manufacturing partnership with Mercedes-Benz.
The association between Force Motors and Mercedes-Benz in engine manufacturing dates back to 1997 and has evolved into a comprehensive partnership, that includes the manufacturing of engines and axles for all Mercedes-Benz cars and SUVs produced in India.
The 200,000th engine milestone underscores a relationship built on trust, technological excellence, shared values and a common commitment to advancing manufacturing capabilities in India. A Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 has received this special 200,000th unit, a 6-cylinder M256 engine manufactured by Force Motors.
The milestone was commemorated in the presence of Mr. Prasan Firodia, Managing Director, Force Motors Limited, and a distinguished delegation from Mercedes-Benz, including Members of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG:
Dr. Joerg Burzer, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG. Chief Technology Officer, Development & Procurement
Mr. Michael Schiebe, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG. Production, Quality & Supply Chain Management
Mr. Mathias Geisen, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG. Sales & Customer Experience
They were joined by Mr. Santosh Iyer, Managing Director & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India; Mr. Vyankatesh Kulkarni, Executive Director & Head of Operations, Mercedes-Benz India; and Mr. Prashant Inamdar, Executive Director – Operations, Force Motors Limited, amongst other dignitaries and guests, from both the organisations.
Speaking on the significance of the milestone and Force Motors’ longstanding association with Mercedes-Benz, Mr. Prasan Firodia, Managing Director, Force Motors Limited said, “As Mercedes-Benz continues to expand its presence in India, Force Motors remains committed to supporting its growth through best-in-class manufacturing, operational excellence and by contributing to the production of world-class automotive components in India. The 200,000th engine is more than a production milestone; it is the living story of a half-century-long partnership built on trust, precision and shared purpose. The Force Motors Chakan facility was purpose-built to meet Mercedes-Benz’s exacting global standards, and every engine that has rolled out of it, reflects Force Motors’ unwavering commitment to engineering excellence and manufacturing precision. To have honoured that commitment 200,000 times is a moment of profound pride for us”.
The milestone also resonates beyond the factory floor. The Force Motors–Mercedes-Benz relationship stands as one of the most significant examples of Indo-German industrial collaboration, one that has quietly and consistently elevated the standards of automotive manufacturing in India. In an era of rapidly evolving automotive landscape, where global supply chains increasingly seek reliability, quality, precision, and proximity, Force Motors’ ability to deliver German-quality engineering from Indian soil, underpinned by the ‘Make in India‘ vision, makes it a model worthy of national and international recognition.
ABOUT FORCE MOTORS LIMITED: INDIA’S LARGEST VAN MAKER
Founded in 1958 by Shri N. K. Firodia, Force Motors Limited was established with a vision to provide affordable, reliable, and efficient transportation for the masses. Today, it stands as a fully integrated automobile company specializing in the engineering, development, and manufacture of vehicles, aggregates, and components.
The company operates five state-of-the-art manufacturing units across India, employs over 10,000 people, and is led by its Chairman, Dr. Abhay Firodia. Its advanced R&D center in Pune, supported by a design team of over 1,000 experts, is regarded as one of the finest in the country.
Force Motors is a versatile automotive company with the capability to cater to diverse international markets by offering customized, country-specific solutions. Its formidable product range spans light commercial vehicles and multi-utility vehicles, and its export presence extends to over 25+ countries including Middle East and Gulf region, Asia, Latin America, and Africa.
Force Motors has built strong relationships with global automotive leaders by consistently delivering high-quality engines and components.
Mercedes-Benz and BMW assigned Force Motors the responsibility of producing and testing engines for all cars and SUVs manufactured in India. Every Mercedes-Benz car and SUV made in India is powered by an engine produced at Force Motors facility at Chakan in Pune.
Similarly, Force Motors’ world-class factory in Chennai, built to BMW’s exacting standards, powers every BMW car and SUV made in the country.
Force MTU Power Systems Pvt. Ltd. is a joint venture between Force Motors and Rolls-Royce Power Systems AG. The venture specializes in producing 10 and 12-cylinder Series 1600 engines, ranging from 545 hp to 1050 hp, at its manufacturing facility in Chakan, Pune. These engines are supplied globally for power generation and underfloor rail applications