(February 6, 2010) CHENNAI, India — Less than six months after Ford CEO Alan Mulally revealed the new Figo to India. The first production model was driven off the assembly line Friday.

Production begins following a $500 million investment by Ford. New-car production capacity is up to 200,000 units annually doubling production at the facility. The Chennai facility will produce up to 10 different engines for both domestic and export sale including diesel and gas engines.

Following the Figo Job 1 ceremony on Friday, the new engine facility was inaugurated. Among the engines it will produce is a 1.2-liter gas engine for the new Figo. 1.2L petrol engine for Figo.

The new compact car underscores the importance Ford has placed in the burgeoning India automotive market as well as throughout the region, Ford said in a statement.  While Figo will be manufactured primarily for Indian consumers initially, the new model also will be exported to other countries including South Africa, as early as middle of 2010.

The "Sub B" car category where Figo will be competing comprises more than 70 percent of India's total new car sales.  Figo is the sixth new Ford model that the automaker has introduced to Indian consumers.

Relying more on Indian partners, 85 percent of the new Figo is expected to be locally contented. More than 700 new employees have been hired by Ford India at the expanded assembly and engine manufacturing facility in the past 12 months. Once full line capacity is reached, the manufacturing center is expected to provide additional employment.