Gujarat emerging as global automobile manufacturing hub: Narendra Modi

AHMEDABAD: Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that the state was emerging as a global automobile manufacturing hub with companies like Ford, PSA Peugeot and Tata Motors opening up their facilities here.

"We wanted to encourage our engineering sector as a result of which a lot of automotive companies have come to the state. Gujarat is moving towards becoming a global automotive manufacturing hub and shall become backbone of Indian automotive sector," Modi said, while speaking at the MoU signing ceremony between Gujarat government and PSA Peugeot Citron.

"I am really happy to see the signing of agreement with Peugeot on this auspicious day of Ganesh Chaturthi today. In July, a similar agreement was signed with Ford," he said. "With this the first locally produced Peugeot car will be available in India by 2014," Modi said.

With this integrated manufacturing facility being set up at an investment of Rs 4,000 crore, Sanand will also figure as one of the largest automotive parts manufacturing hub globally, he said adding the state has become a leading investment destination too, Modi said.

The state government will also set up an international level Automotive Skill Development Institute on PPP mode with PSA Peugeot, to generate skilled manpower for the automotive sector, Modi said.